Better buses, safer housing and green skills must be new mayor’s priority, says TUC

4 May 2021 11:51 AM

The TUC recently (Saturday) wrote to all West Yorkshire mayoral candidates calling on them to take immediate action on our failing bus system, social housing, and the crisis in employment and skills in our region.

• Union federation writes to all candidates a week out from results of mayoral election
• TUC demands urgent and bold action within the mayor’s first 100 days

In a letter to all candidates setting out the trade union movement’s priorities for the new mayor, the TUC has made clear that it expects the mayor to:

• Begin the statutory investigation into franchising within 100 days of taking office
• Speed up the mass transit project to get spades in the ground within 18 months
• Fast track construction of social housing which could create thousands on new green jobs across the region within the next two years
• Prioritise retraining in green skills for the thousands of West Yorkshire people out of work as a result of the pandemic.

The full text of the letter can be accessed here

TUC Regional Secretary Bill Adams recently said:  

“West Yorkshire is facing unprecedented economic, public health and climate crisis, and the new mayor has the potential to enact transformative change across our region.

“We urge the new mayor to work with trade unions to kickstart a greener, fairer recovery that places vibrant communities at its heart.

“The mayor should be a powerful voice for our region. On issues of racial justice, inequality and fighting the climate emergency, what the mayor says to set the agenda will be as important as what the mayor does to fulfil their pledges.

“Far reaching measures to address the climate emergency need to be implemented. This means radical investment in green infrastructure that will create and support high quality green jobs and support a transition to a more sustainable economy for all our communities.

“As well as catalysing investment, the new mayor will have unique convening powers to drive forward the climate agenda, bringing business and unions round the table to hammer out a plan.

“Wherever the mayor deploys their considerable resources in their new role, we want to see commitments to paying the Real Living Wage, working only with unionised companies, and conditions on support to businesses that guarantee high pay, good terms and conditions, climate friendly practices and union access. These will set strong examples for the rest of the region’s economy, especially in large scale investment projects.

“A West Yorkshire mayor has the potential to do a power of good for our county. This is an opportunity not to be wasted. The trade union movement offers an open hand and full-throated support for a mayor who will deliver for working people.”

Editors Note’s

• The letter has been sent to all registered candidates standing for Mayor of West Yorkshire. The full text of the letter can be accessed here: https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Mayoral candidates_WY 2021.pdf
• The TUC is not affiliated to any political party and does not endorse any specific candidate.
• The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.

Contacts:

Gareth Forest (Lewis)
gforest@tuc.org.uk 
0113 200 1075
07810 374976

Bill Adams
07867 788856

TUC national press office 
media@tuc.org.uk  
020 7467 1248