More than 150 leaders from communities across West London came together for the launch of the Ealing Living Wage Action Team at the West London Citizens‘ Assembly at St Anselm’s Church in Southall.
The event saw councillors, MPs, local businesses and NHS Trusts come and work together to help increase wages for workers across Ealing and also ensure more work is done to encourage all employers to pay the real living wage.
Among those who are part of Ealing Living Wage Action Team are Ealing Citizens, Ealing Council, University of West London, West London Chambers of Commerce, Belazu and Action West London.
At the launch event, 539 employers in West London including Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Action West London were highighted as organisations recently accrediting to become real Living Wage employers.
According to West London Citizens community leaders over the last 18 months six out of nine NHS Trusts are now signed up as accredited real Living Wage employers.
Jose Mendes, community leader at St Anselm’s Church, a member of Ealing Citizens said: “When I came to this country, my qualifications from India didn’t count anymore. I found that there was no one to help me, so I had to start all over again, working at Heathrow Airport. From that day on, I decided I would help people whenever I could so that they don’t have to face the same injustices I did. That’s how I got involved with West London Citizens, campaigning for a living wage.”
He added: “Now, we are delighted to be working in partnership with Ealing Council and local employers, for Ealing to become a place where everyone earns a decent living wage. The Action Team will work together over the next three years to encourage other employers to accredit and pay the real living wage to their workers.”
For Ealing Council, Councillor Louise Brett, Cabinet Member for Decent Living Incomes commented: “It’s great to be involved in the successful establishment of the Ealing Living Wage Action Group. As one member of the group said, every day is action day. That’s why I’m so proud of the hard work being done daily by members of the action group and officers at the council as we strive to reach our ambitious target of 200 accredited living wage employers, ensuring that people working in Ealing have access to the decent living incomes that they deserve.”
Tom Levitt, associate lecturer in sustainability at University of West London, who were recently accredited said: “I’m delighted that University of West London has taken this step and set a great example to other employees in the Ealing community. A Living Wage is not just a slogan: it’s about dignity at work and building better relationships between employers and employees.”
