Celebrating workers across Bury

Hello everyone. Normally I’d be spending today on the election trail, but this is our ‘gap’ year when elections are not held.

Our staff don’t have the day off, though, and it’s a good opportunity to remember them and the contribution they make to public service, helping to make our borough a great place to live, work and study in.

On Monday, I attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Whitehead Gardens in Bury to mark International Workers Memorial Day. Organised by the trade union Unison, this is an annual event to remember those who died because of a workplace accident, ill health or disease as a result of work.

Most of us are looking forward to the Bank Holiday on Monday. Quite right – but let’s not forget those who do have to work, including our staff who look after our most needy and vulnerable.

I am very proud that we were the first council in Greater Manchester to sign up to the Real Living Wage and the Good Employer Charter.

But I want this for all workers in Bury, not just those who work for the council or our partners in the public sector. Everyone deserves to be able to go to work in safety, and in jobs that pay well and fairly.

It’s often said that the most important part of an organisation is its workforce, and they’re right.