A TOP trade unionist from the General, Municipal and Boilermakers Union (GMB) gave a talk to Bexley businesses. General secretary of the GMB John Edmonds gave a presentation entitled Is The Social Chapter Only For Wimps? His talk highlighted the problems between what employers offer and what employees need.

He said: "When managers are surveyed they often consider loyalty, commitment and flexibility as the important attributes when recruiting and retaining staff. Unfortunately, despite these objectives, many employers do not satisfy their employees' desires of job security, job satisfaction or personal development."

Mr Edmonds also spoke about the increasing number of annual or short-term contracts and the lack of money being put into staff training or development. He highlighted some examples of management practice including one employer which has just signed a contract with a union offering job security for a minimum of five years. Another major topic was the issue of salaries and the current trend to pay managers above the odds while other lower staff are undervalued.

Mr Edmonds laid down a five point plan which he called the people agenda:

1) Employment security.

2) Quality of the working environment.

3) Development of talent with continuous personal development.

4) Well-being of the workforce.

5) Fairness of reward among all staff.

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