30 April 2008
Unite, London's biggest trade union, is calling on Londoners to vote for a Mayor who has the interests of working people and their families at heart.
The union will today highlight Ken Livingstone's record on supporting young people and the introduction of the living wage as testament to his solid commitment to making London a fairer city.
Urging London’s workers to vote for a Mayor that will put their interests first, Unite's Joint General Secretary, Tony Woodley said: "Ken Livingstone’s Living Wage Unit broke new ground in delivering fairer pay deals for hard-pressed workers in one of the world's most expensive cities.
Thanks to Ken Livingstone, there’s a growing acceptance that a living wage in the city starts at £7.20. It is a powerful statement that shows this Mayor is committed to lifting workers out of poverty. In a city where income is vastly polarised, it is vital that low wage workers know their Mayor is on their side."
Unite has also welcomed the pledge by Ken Livingstone to match the £79 million already allocated by the government to improve facilities for London’s young people.
Unite's Joint General Secretary, Derek Simpson said, "Doubling the money available for services for young people will be music to the ears of families across the capital. This investment is the most substantial since the foundation of the youth service in 1961 and will go a long way to addressing the Tory legacy.
Thanks to Ken Livingstone with this new money we have more opportunities to tackle some of the problems affecting young people in the capital."
