London 2012 and unions reach agreement on 'principles of cooperation'

Union leaders have agreed to work with Olympic chiefs in a bid to get the 2012 Games built on time and on budget.

The Trades Union Congress has signed a “Principles of Cooperation” with Olympic bosses which will “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.”

The latest deal is not legally binding and does not supersede the existing Memorandum of Agreement between the Olympic Delivery Authority and the construction unions or any existing national or workplace 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. 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 said: “Today’s agreement will help to ensure that London 2012 will be a fantastic experience for those building and running the Games, as well as for those watching and participating in it.”

The Principles of Cooperation recognise the importance of joint working to:

• Deliver the Games on time, on budget and to a high standard.
• Ensure a safe working environment, with effective industrial relations and fair terms and conditions of employment.
• Help the regeneration of the area around the Olympic Park through new employment and opportunities by developing closer links between local communities and London 2012.
• Make fair employment standards a key consideration in the procurement process.
• Enable all those contributing to delivering the Games having access to learning and training opportunities at work as well as information about their employment rights and trade union membership.