A Workers’ Manifesto
By Sarah Woolley General Secretary, BFAWU
N.B. This article was first published in September 2024, as part of the re-launch of our Federation News tabloid newspaper, available here.
Following consultation with members, the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) has drawn up a Workers’ Manifesto against which we can measure the promises and policy proposals of the new Labour government.
Unsurprisingly, the cost of living crisis affecting people’s ability to pay for basic needs such as food, energy and housing is the single biggest concern facing members. Importantly, members linked the cost of living crisis facing them with the ownership of utilities, believing that water, energy and Royal Mail should be taken back into public ownership.
Access to NHS services and the lack of affordable housing are also big issues for members. Other issues include access to dental services, crime, anti-social behaviour, public transport and social care.
In terms of workplace concerns, BFAWU members identified low pay as a main issue but also being asked to do more work, often with unsociable hours, and on insecure contracts with a reduced staffing cohort as damaging to their health and their safety. The Issues impacting BFAWU members reflect the concerns of the wider population.
And the results of the consultation show how politically engaged BFAWU members are. Critically, our members have set out what they believe is necessary to help address the issues that are confronting them in their communities and workplaces. We have offered in our Bakers Dozen Manifesto good, common sense, fair and constructive suggestions. If implemented such policies would benefit our members and every other worker across the UK.
We urge the Labour Government to pay attention and take on board our Manifesto, thereby helping BFAWU members to rebuild their trust in the Labour Party.
THE BAKERS’ DOZEN
Introduce a £15 an hour national minimum wage for all workers regardless of age.
Abolish zero-hour contracts.
Full employment rights from day one.
Ensure all employers are legally required to provide six weeks of contractual sick pay at 100% of normal pay to all workers.
Repeal all anti-trade union legislation.
Legislate for a maximum temperature in the workplace.
End the practice of companies going into administration to avoid their financial responsibilities and obligations to their workforce and fine directors who leave workers high and dry.
Take water, energy and Royal Mail back into public ownership, curb excessive pricing and remove the profit motive from our essential services.
Introduce a statutory Right to Food, free school meals and place a cap on Supermarket profits.
Re-nationalise our train companies, cap bus fares at £2 max for a single journey and introduce free public transport for all 16–25 year olds.
End arm sales to Israel.
Abolish Tuition Fees, re-introduce the Union Learning Fund in England, whilst protecting the funds in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Create a national care service that provides dignity for the elderly and vulnerable no matter their income and wealth.
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Sarah Woolley General Secretary, BFAWU