The Fair Work Convention have appointed Mary Alexander as its new Co-Chair. Mary will take up the role replacing longstanding Co-Chair Grahame Smith who is standing down from the Convention after four years.
Mary Alexander is Deputy Regional Secretary of Unite in Scotland and is a member of the Fair Work Convention. Mary is a well-practised negotiator with extensive experience of change management, having worked across a number of industrial sectors. She was recently Co-Chair of the Fair Work Convention’s Construction Inquiry.
Mary was also the trade union representative on the Edinburgh Poverty Commission and is currently a member of Edinburgh’s Committee promoting Edinburgh as a Living Wage City.
Mary Alexander said:
“I am delighted to be appointed as Co-Chair of the Fair Work Convention, having served as a member of the Convention since its inception in 2015. I am passionate about what the Convention stand for and look forward to bringing my experience to the role and help to make Scotland a Fair Work Nation by 2025.”
Professor Patricia Findlay, Co-Chair of the Fair Work Convention, said:
“I am extremely grateful to Grahame Smith for his dedication to the Fair Work Convention during his time as Co-Chair and previously as a founding member of the Convention, particularly in helping to shape the Fair Work agenda in Scotland, in the Working Together Review, through his work with the Convention and in his wider public roles.
I would also like to welcome formally Mary Alexander as our new Co-Chair. Mary is also a founding member of the Convention and this, alongside her role as Deputy Regional Secretary of Unite in Scotland, gives her a a wealth of experience to bring to the Co-Chair role, and I very much look forward to working closely with her to help deliver all that fair work has to offer to Scottish workers, employers and society.”
Richard Lochhead, Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work added:
“As Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work I have seen the progress the Fair Work Convention has made in promoting Fair Work across Scotland and very much value the advice and support they give Scottish Ministers.
I welcome Mary Alexander in her role as Co-Chair and look forward to working with her to help progress the Fair Work agenda and make it a reality for all”