London 2012 organisers have signed a deal with the TUC committing to positive industrial relations in the run-up to the next Olympic Games.
The London 2012 Organising Committee and Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have announced an agreement of a set of overarching ‘Principles of Co-operation’ with the TUC.
Although the principles are not legally binding they form the basis of positive partnership between the TUC and the organisations delivering London 2012 on areas such as training, equality, health and safety and fair employment standards.
They also set a framework for positive industrial relations ahead of the London 2012 Games but are explicit that employee and industrial relations remain a matter for firms and their staff.
Last year the ODA signed a Memorandum of Agreement with constructions unions on industrial relations after they expressed concern over excessive use of migrant and temporary labour on the Games project. This new deal does not supersede the existing agreements.
ODA chairman John Armitt said: “These overarching principles build on our existing positive agreement with construction unions covering the work to deliver the venues and infrastructure for London 2012.
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“They further demonstrate a shared commitment to not only delivering a huge and complex project on time and to budget but also to high health and safety standards with fair employment conditions and a real employment legacy for east London.”
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber added: “London won the Games partly because of its commitment to regenerating the local area and creating a sustainable legacy. We believe this agreement will help deliver those commitments by promoting fair employment, training and good working conditions for the London 2012 workforce.”