All 10 Greater Manchester councils now signed up to Good Employment Charter

Bolton, Oldham and Rochdale councils have become Members of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, meaning all 10 local authorities in the city-region have now made a formal commitment to providing good working practices.

Launched in 2019, the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter is a voluntary membership and assessment scheme which aims to raise employment standards across the city-region. Organisations and companies of all sizes and sectors can sign up to the Charter, which now has over 100 Members.

The three local authorities join Bury, Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan councils, as well as Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), as Members of the Good Employment Charter.

The councils’ membership was announced at the full meeting of GMCA held in Bolton today (24 November). Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham presented Good Employment Charter plaques to Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Nick Peel, Leader of Oldham Council, Cllr Arooj Shah, and Leader of Rochdale Council, Cllr Neil Emmott.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “I’m proud to see Greater Manchester’s councils leading by example when it comes to good employment. Local authorities are important anchor institutions, employing thousands of people, and their participation in the Good Employment Charter can help us grow the movement. The Good Employment Charter is doing outstanding work, ensuring people are paid fairly, treated appropriately, and making opportunities to progress available to all.”

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “Bolton Council staff do an outstanding job working in our communities and providing the vital services we all rely on.

“We are delighted to become members of the Charter, which underlines our ongoing commitment to making sure council staff feel valued, supported and included.”

Leader of Oldham Council, Arooj Shah, said: “By becoming a Member of the Good Employment Charter, Oldham Council has made a commitment to providing employees with a positive and supportive working environment. We are proud to grow the movement for better working practices and I encourage employers in Oldham and Greater Manchester to get involved.”

Leader of Rochdale Council, Cllr Neil Emmott, said: ““Our membership of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter symbolises our investment in existing and future staff and this includes employing as many local people from our borough as we are able to.

“We have an excellent range of good employment initiatives and we are pleased that we are able to demonstrate this by becoming a member of the Good Employment Charter.”

Director of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, Ian MacArthur, said: “It is a significant moment in the development of the Charter to have all 10 Boroughs as full Members. This doesn't only mean that council staff now know they are working for a good employer, but it also sets a clear example and leadership across the city for other employers to follow.”

Article Published: 24/11/2023 14:58 PM