Labour unions support Sophie Davies as Labour candidate for Portishead East!

This is because unions and Labour councillors share the same core values of equality and social justice for all.

In July 2020, the Local Government Association Labour Group and Local Government unions (UNISON, GMB, and Unite) agreed to work together on 7 key priorities for the years ahead:

1. Build back better from the coronavirus crisis

The coronavirus crisis has exposed inequalities in our society, demonstrated the value of public service workers and reinforced the need for a stronger economy that benefits everybody. We will campaign jointly for an economic recovery that tackles inequality, creates good jobs, ensures fair pay and reduces the risk of future pandemics and climate emergencies.

2. Campaign for long term sustainable funding for local government

Local government faces a £10bn funding gap as a result of coronavirus alone, over and above the huge impact of a decade of austerity. We will campaign together to ensure that local government receives the increased government funding it needs to provide good quality public services and include deprivation as a major determinant of funding allocation. We will highlight the crisis in social care, including the desperate need for a long-term fair funding solution, a new model of delivery and the urgent need for better wages and rights for care workers.

3. Promote equalities in local government

Together, we will promote and celebrate our vibrant and diverse communities, ensure this is reflected in the local workforce and stand united with the Black Lives Matter movement against violence and systematic racism towards black and ethnic minority people. We will work to ensure that Labour councils and trade unions are active in promoting equality and opposing any form of discrimination, hate speech or racially motivated activity.

4. Champion public services

We will encourage Labour councils to retain services in-house, and to bring outsourced services back in-house whenever possible and promote examples of best practice.

5. Defend the Local Government Pension Scheme

We will promote the Local Government Pension Scheme as a well-managed, funded scheme which meets the needs of the majority of employees and ensure Labour councils defend the right of all staff working in local government to access the scheme.

6. React to the climate emergency

We will work together to bring public attention to the continued threat of climate change. Encourage more Labour councils to declare a climate emergency and provide support to those that have done so in devising and promoting positive measures to play a role in dealing with it.

7. Tackle Modern Slavery

We will recognise the hidden scourge of modern slavery and work together at branch and Labour group level to promote the importance of identifying and tackling examples of Modern Slavery in local communities.