Action on pay and conditions, the role of trade unions and setting up community enterprises
John Cotton, a Labour councillor in Birmingham, tells the story of in-work poverty and his campaign to make the local council introduce the Real Living Wage (RLW). All council staff and 17,000 employees are now paid the RLW and Birmingham has set up a Poverty Truth Commission to listen to those with lived experience of poverty.
Professor Nadia Valman tells the story of late nineteenth and early twentieth century strikes for better pay and working conditions in the East End of London. She explores how people from Irish and Jewish communities, in spite of differences, supported each other in solidarity when facing injustice and defending their rights.
Keith Hodgson tells the story of Craigielea Care Home in the North East of England, UK. After blowing the whistle on the poor treatment of residents and going on strike, some care home staff were sacked. Keith helped create a high profile campaign using music and performance to raise awareness and the staff successfully found new jobs in their local area.
