Agenda item

1.  Train fare increases and unfair zonal system

Moved by Councillor McCarthy and seconded by Councillor P Waker:

"Barking and Dagenham Council notes with great concern the latest rises in train fares and the disproportionate costs incurred by people in Barking and Dagenham due to the unfair zonal system.  A weekly train ticket has increased by 25% since Boris Johnson became Mayor in 2008 – adding £440 a year to travel costs.

"Barking and Dagenham Council recommends that the current zonal system be reconfigured in order to remove the current bias in favour of west London.  This is to remove such discrepancies as a journey from Richmond to Bank costing less than one from Dagenham East to the same station.  We also call upon the Mayor of London to freeze prices in 2014 in order to halt spiraling costs."

In moving the motion, Councillor McCarthy gave examples of the cost of travelling from Dagenham East to Bank and Richmond to Bank as being £5.50 cash for 15 stops and 22 stops respectively and further noted that if using an Oyster card, the passenger from Dagenham East would pay £1.60 more than the passenger from Richmond.

In seconding the motion, Councillor P Waker noted a clear bias against the people of this borough, stating that the zonal system was outdated.

Members, in support of the motion, made the following points:

·  the disrespect that TfL has for services in the borough;

·  the poor maintenance of the electronic signage at the stations;

·  the lack of maintenance of the railway bridges; and

·  the continued lack of planning for a further river crossing within the vicinity.

Councillor Geddes, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, raised concern regarding the young people of the borough who used Oyster Cards when travelling into London not necessarily being aware of price increases and confirmed he would be prepared to write to the Mayor of London accordingly.

In response, Councillor McCarthy thanked Members for their comments and support.  He concurred that there were accessible facilities issues at Dagenham East, Becontree and Barking stations and would include them in making further representations to the Mayor of London for a fairer zonal system.

The motion was put to the vote by way of a show of hands and agreed.

2.  Unacceptable practice of blacklisting of construction workers

Moved by Councillor Channer and seconded by Councillor Tarry:

"This Council notes:

-  The GMB campaign to highlight that 3,213 workers were blacklisted by construction firms and which calls for all of those affected to be given an unreserved apology and compensation by the firms.

-  That in 2009 the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) seized a database of 3,213 construction workers used by 44 companies to vet new recruits and keep out employment trade union and health and safety activists.

-  That of the 3,213 workers identified on the blacklist only 194 have been informed that they appear on the list.

-  Of the 194 people identified as featuring on the blacklist, 39 of these were based or attempting to find work in London.

-  A number of blacklisted workers live in Barking and Dagenham

"This Council believes:

-  Blacklisting is an unacceptable practice which cannot be condoned.

-  That the construction firms that engaged in blacklisting should apologise to those who have been affected and denied jobs as a result of the list.

-  That the Information Commissioners' Office should inform all those who feature on the blacklist.

"This Council resolves:

-  To support the GMB campaign against the blacklisting of construction workers.

-  To call on the Council to make clear to all construction companies bidding for Council contracts that any unlawful blacklisting of workers will not be tolerated

-  To request the Chief Executive to provide a report to the next Assembly meeting regarding progress on this matter."

In moving the motion, Councillor Channer asked that her Labour colleagues fully support this motion and stated that the practice of blacklisting stops workers making a living and affects families in the borough.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Tarry said that as a borough we should be supporting the people who have been blacklisted.

Members, speaking in support of the motion, concurred that blacklisting was not acceptable and should not be tolerated.  They further expressed the importance of the recognition of trade unions.

In response, Councillor Channer welcomed Members’ comments.

The motion was put to the vote by way of a show of hands and unanimously agreed.