Thursday, June 19, 2008

"Defending, Celebrating and Improving the National Minimum Wage"

(A point of order was raised to move to the vote before I could speak - this is the speech anyway)

President, Conference – John Gray, Housing Association Branch, London region – speaking in favour of motion 12.

Conference I would like to congratulate the National Young Members Forum for this motion on its 3 key issues of defending, celebrating and improving the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

If I may address those issues in a slightly different order

Firstly, as the motion rightly points out its introduction is one of the Labour’s government finest achievements to-date and we should celebrate this and the key role that UNISON and the wider Labour movement played. My only quibble on the wording would be that millions, not thousands, of workers have been bought out of absolute poverty by this action.

Secondly, NMW needs updating and improvement. Its starting rate should be uplifted significantly and discrimination against young workers stopped. However, I would also like to add that the NMW should also introduce regional variations to take account of higher costs across the United Kingdom. For example where I work in inner London many workers are on the minimum wage of £5.52.

Like most Londoners I am not from London originally and I have relatives back home who are on minimum wage and they find it very hard to survive. They are amazed that the same rate is paid in London. For many years there has been a campaign in London region for a "London Living Wage" (LLW) which is now set at £7.40. The minimum wage in London should be set and enforced at this level. The London Assembly under Labour mayor Ken Livingston did introduce a LLW for all assembly workers and contractors. How long this achievement will last under Tory Mayor Boris is another matter.

Which finally brings up the issue of defending the NMW? I’m just going to gently remind people that let us not forget that the Tories and allies such as the CBI and the Institute of directors fought tooth and nail against the introduction of the NMW. Despite their current attempt to stop being the "nasty party". They still believe that the minimum wage is an unnecessary interference in the labour market. There is no doubt that if they are returned to power they will either abolish it outright or let wither on the vine by never increasing the annual rate as has happened in America under the Republicans.

As a UNISON Labour Link activist I think you can guess where I am coming from on this.

Conference – please support this motion.

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