Norwich City Hall is showing its love for trade unions this week with a ceremony to launch Heart Unions week in the Lord Mayor’s Chamber.
Lord Mayor Kevin Maguire welcomed UNISON members and officials to his parlour alongside City Council leader Alan Waters.
Mr Maguire said: I’m proud to welcome Norwich City UNISON into my parlour at City Hall and thank them as part of the TUC’s Heart Unions Week.
“I’ve been a member of a trade union all my working life and was a union steward at City Hall when I worked here in the 1980s.
“Unions play a hugely important role in our city – protecting and improving the terms and conditions of members, helping to make workplaces safer and ensuring the voice of members are heard fairly.
“I’d encourage anybody who hasn’t yet joined to join the union and get involved.”
Attendees were treated to cupcakes expertly baked by Norwich City UNISON’s Debbie Rowden for Heart Unions week, the TUC’s annual celebration of the work trade unions do.
Norwich City Council leader Alan Waters said: “I’m very pleased to support Norwich City UNISON in the launch of Heart Unions week at City Hall.
“I’ve been a lifelong trade unionist, union steward and believe in the power of unions to make life better for workers.
“Everyone should, in my view, join a union – your friend at work. Joining a union is affordable and easy, and the benefits are huge. Unions help workers come together, deliver a better deal from their employers, and raise standards for all of us.
“Unions are the reason we all enjoy paid holiday, maternity leave, and lunch breaks. I’d like to thank the officers of Norwich City UNISON for the hard work they do, day in day out, supporting members, working with employers, and improving our City Council.”
UNISON Eastern regional organiser Cameron Matthews thanked the Lord Mayor and council leader for their backing.
“It’s great to see the support coming from City Hall. Kevin and Alan are right to point out the great work that unions do. In UNISON we don’t just improve our members’ lives but we defend and improve the services everyone relies upon.
“And I’d like to echo their appeal to anyone who’s not yet a member to join. We’re stronger together.”