Olympic Delivery Authority and London Citizens agree to work together on London Living Wage

Following a constructive meeting last week, the ODA confirmed that it was committed to encouraging fair employment practices, including promoting wages levels which support the Mayor of London's aspirations for the London Living Wage.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: "We cannot make the London Living Wage a blanket condition. However, for those tenders within London's boundary, we will make it clear that we support the London Living Wage, and we will make it clear in the invitation to tender for ODA contracts that we want to see contractors adopting the best employment practices including trade union recognition, absolute commitment to health and safety and sufficient wage levels. These factors will be considered when we decide which contracts offer best value for money.

"We now have a mutual understanding with London Citizens and will continue to work with them and other key organisations to ensure the Games deliver a lasting economic legacy for east London."

Rev Jan Atkins, Methodist Minister at Stratford Methodist Church and one of London Citizens 'Olympic’s Charter Action Team' said: "London Citizens is delighted to have reached an understanding that the ODA will take a similar approach to procurement as the Mayor, and use its considerable purchasing power to promote the London Living Wage.

"Since we Londoners are having to pay towards the cost of the ODA bill it is only fair that there is some pay back in a decent wage packet for the lowest paid workers on the site."

The agreement announced today confirms the ODA's position. In November 2006, the ODA stated that it is absolutely committed to encouraging fair employment practices including wage levels offered by contractors.

Ends

Notes to editors

1. The ODA will make it clear in the invitation to tender for ODA contracts that it wants to see contractors adopting the best employment practices including trade union recognition, absolute commitment to health and safety and sufficient wage levels. For those tenders within London's boundary, the ODA will make it clear that it fully supports the London Living Wage.

2. Legally the ODA cannot make the London Living wage a blanket condition. However the organisation is required by Government to demonstrate value for money in all its contracting and has to consider how to achieve its overall objectives on a case by case basis, as it lets each contract. The ODA will ask its contractors if they would be prepared to adopt fair employment measures including the London Living Wage for any work they are doing as part of an ODA contract. These issues will be taken into account when the ODA advertises contracts and considers tenders. They form part of the overall value for money judgement which the ODA must make. Obviously the ODA will be particularly concerned about those areas that traditionally pay lower wage levels and how they might be addressed.

Media Enquiries

Contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on 020 3 2012 700

London Citizens: Matthew Bolton or Neil Jameson on 020 7375 1658 – www.londoncitizens.org.uk .