WE ARE in the midst of one of the gravest health crises we have ever faced.
Along with other workers from all sections of society, council workers have been at the very forefront of our response to Covid-19, fighting against the disease with utmost dedication and commitment.
As Labour councillors from around London, we believe Labour councils can be exemplars of how to respond effectively to the crisis and that workers deserve our total solidarity.
We are therefore deeply concerned that a Labour administration in Tower Hamlets is using Section 188 of the Conservatives’ Trade Union & Labour Relations Act — whereby workers are sacked and rehired on different contracts — to implement its Tower Rewards scheme, driving down the terms and conditions of its workers.
Unison members have responded by courageously defending themselves and they will soon be taking part in three further days of strike action.
The actions of Tower Hamlets Council risk damaging a party that seeks to represent ordinary working people.
We join our Tower Hamlets councillor colleagues and Apsana Begum MP, Richard Burgon MP, Diane Abbott MP, Paula Barker MP, Nadia Whittome MP and John McDonnell MP in questioning the Tower Rewards scheme and support Unison’s request for an independent equality assessment.
We call on the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John Biggs, to reengage and negotiate with Unison.
Signed by Councillors ...
Daniel Stone, Haringey
Abdirazak Abdi, Brent
Lynne Allen, Hillingdon
Tolga Aramaz, Enfield
Santiago Bell-Bradford, Islington
Mark Blake, Haringey
Lindsay Bliss, Hillingdon
Anne Brown, Enfield
Gideon Bull, Haringey
Theresa Byrne, Ealing
Maggie Carman, Westminster
Leo Cassarani, Camden
Jumbo Chan, Brent
James Chiriyankandath, Haringey
Chris Clark, Croydon
Lewis Cox, Ealing
Eldridge Culverwell, Haringey
Sasha Das Gupta, Newham
Mahir Demir, Haringey
Emma Dent Coad, Kensington & Chelsea
John Fahy, Greenwich
Pamela Fitzpatrick, Harrow
Janet Gardner, Hillingdon
Rosa Gomez, Redbridge
Phil Graham, Islington
Margaret Greer, Enfield
Michelle Gregory, Hackney
Makbule Gunes, Haringey
Mike Hakata, Haringey
Alan Hall, Lewisham
Kirsten Hearn, Haringey
Claudia Hector, Brent
Emine Ibrahim, Haringey
Anamul Islam, Newham
Sarah James, Haringey
Clare Joseph, Hackney
Sue Lukes, Islington
Stuart Mathers, Hillingdon
James McAsh, Southwark
Maurice McLeod, Wandsworth
Paul Merry, Redbridge
Puru Miah, Tower Hamlets
Khaled Moyeed, Haringey
Matt Nathan, Islington
John Oswell, Hillingdon
Gary Parker, Greenwich
Simon Pearson, Camden
Dave Putson, Bexley
Ranjit Singh, Camden
Luke Sorba, Lewisham
David Stanley, Greenwich
Noah Tucker, Haringey
Lee Waker, Barking & Dagenham
Paula Walker, Wandsworth
Matt White, Haringey
Cllr Carole Beth, Havering
Cllr Daniel Kennelly, Brent
