We believe that strong relationships between trade unions and the Labour Party at every level make us stronger, so we work to promote the links between local trade union branches and local Labour parties. We also work to support trade union representatives to stand for Labour in their communities, because we know that the skills and experience of workplace trade union representatives equips them to become brilliant community leaders.
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Trade unions and Labour councillors are part of the same labour movement and share the same values of equality, social justice and solidarity. This is formalised in the ‘Labour Local Government and Trade Union Principles’ document which is developed and adopted by the Local Government Association (LGA) Labour Group with the local government unions – UNISON, GMB, and Unite.
It sets out the standards which the LGA Labour Group believe should be met by Labour councils in their relationships with the unions and their policies. It covers austerity, good industrial relations, best employment practice, promoting equality and in-house services, opposing academisation, and the Trade Union Act.
The document is reviewed annually, and was formally adopted by the LGA Labour Group in July 2020. Alongside the adoption of the Principles, the LGA Labour Group also agreed a set of Joint Priorities for 2020/21 with the local government unions, which sets out the key issues which we intend to work on together over the coming year.
Case Studies
Islington Safe Return to Work Campaign
Islington Council were the first local authority to join forces with the TUC to promote a safe return to work by joining a union as the UK emerges from Coronavirus lockdown.
The “Stay Safe at Work – Join a Union” campaign will feature on more than 500 noticeboards across Islington, and in print and online.
Cllr Asima Shaikh, Islington Council’s executive member for inclusive economy and jobs, said: “Our top priority is keeping people safe and supported during this pandemic.
“All workers have a right to be safe at work – wherever they work and whatever they do, and as more people return to work from lockdown, this is more important than ever.
“We encourage all our residents to join a trade union and we’re very pleased to become the first council to be working jointly with the TUC to promote a safe return to work.”
For more on the campaign see www.islington.gov.uk/worksafely
Ethical Care Charter 
UNISON has long campaigned around issues of care quality, low pay, job insecurity and rushed client visits in the care sector.
In 2013 they established the Ethical Care Charter and sought support from local authorities. The over-riding objective behind the Charter is to establish a minimum baseline for the safety, quality and dignity of care by ensuring employment conditions which a) do not routinely short-change clients and b) ensure the recruitment and retention of a more stable workforce through more sustainable pay, conditions and training levels.
Rather than councils seeking to achieve savings by driving down the pay and conditions that have been the norm for council – employed staff, they should be using these as a benchmark against which to level up.
The Ethical Care Charter was first adopted by Southwark Council and has now been signed by 46 other councils in England, Wales and Scotland.
For more information on the campaign visit www.savecarenow.org.uk