union travel jobs

• Manufacturing & Production Staffing
• Industries & Job Types
• Labor Shortages & Skills Gaps
• Travel Contract Jobs
• Executive Leadership
• Case Studies
• Testimonials

Traveling Jobs / Contract Jobs 

Why consider traveling contract work, what is a traveling contractor    .

A traveling contractor is hired to work in a specific location for a particular amount of time; typically they’re hired for 2 to 3 months minimum but projects may last for a year or more. Because the demand for skilled trades and production workers is so high, there are often labor shortages in certain areas of the country so companies hire experienced workforces from around the country that can step in, acclimate quickly, and help them get caught up on production backlogs, help during busy seasons, or bridge the gap until full-time employees are hired locally.

Will I have flexibility in choosing assignments? 

As a traveling contractor, you're in charge of your career and can pick and choose your projects offered by skilled trade staffing agencies and contract staffing firms. Just let your recruiters know your availability, project preferences, and any other details that are important to you.  

What qualities will help me succeed as a traveling tradesperson? 

A traveling skilled trades or production worker should have the following characteristics to excel in the role:

• Enjoys experiencing new cities, towns and traveling in general
• Enjoys the experience of working in new organizations
• Inquisitive and thrives on challenges and learning new things
• Is able to live a flexible lifestyle and enjoys being able to pick and choose where to work and for what type of projects and companies

What are the certifications and requirements for becoming a traveling contract worker? 

Most companies that hire these types of workforces are looking for experienced talent in whichever industry and trade they’re hiring for – not people fresh out of trade school. 

For example, certified Boiler Operators, Welders, CNC Machinists with many years of experience. Experience with traveling contract work is preferred, but not required. 

hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(313330, 'ccb9e18e-12e3-4703-9fb5-6fb244b34f2d', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"});

Three main components of contract staffing , contract staffing firm.

At MADI, we’re the contract staffing firm and it’s our company that recruits and hires contractors from across the United States. We handle the advertising, interviewing, screening, and onboarding for our client.

Client Company

Our clients hire us to place you, the contractor, into their facility or facilities.

We hire you, the contractor, directly and take care of the logistics to get you to the project site, you’re our W-2 employee and we ensure that all goes well with your placement and the experience at our client’s facility.

What Is Per Diem? 

Per diem is an allowance for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses and varies by project location. For tax purposes, it’s recommended that you consult with a CPA familiar with contracting and per diem to determine your specific tax liabilities and deductible items.  

How Is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Handled?    

Your recruiters will be able to provide details on the PPE requirements at each facility. Generally speaking, items such as steel toe boots, metatarsal boots, welding hoods, and some machinists tools are brought by contractors. Other items such as safety glasses or hearing protection are typically provided by the client company on-site. 

If you're looking for a new pair of workbooks, take a look at our blog post Who Makes The Longest Lasting, High-Demand Work Boots to learn which people prefer. 

We also have a blog post on Who Makes The Best Safety Glasses if you're looking for some top-rated brands. 

Resume Tips for Traveling Contractors 

Most staffing firms and companies these days use Applicant Tracking Systems [ATS] for hiring workers which is why keywords are more important than ever. Without the right keywords – your resume might not make it in front of recruiters!

Applicant Tracking Systems are looking for keywords related to the job opening and industry, so make sure your resume contains the right keywords. It’s also suggested to submit your resume as a Word document and not a PDF because sometimes computer systems have a hard time reading resumes in PDF format.

For traveling contract jobs specifically, you’ll want to make sure that your most recent project is at the top of your resume, that each project has start and end dates and that your licenses and certifications are clearly written at the top of your resume. For more suggestions, check out our 7 Resume Tips For Skilled Trades Workers.

How To Find Traveling Jobs 

As with most job searches, the internet is your friend; use digital tools and job boards to your advantage. We could write forever about different options and different job boards for specific industries, so instead, we’ll keep it simple to get you started.

Rather than visit separate job boards, you can use free job board aggregators such as Google and Indeed to search for jobs, create job alert emails as well as upload your resume.

To search for travel jobs specifically, do not include a location when searching. Search for terms such as: 

Machinist Travel Per Diem

Welders Travel Per Diem 

Traveling Millwright Per Diem 

Assembler Travel Per Diem 

Google For Jobs

Being the largest search engine in the world, it makes sense that Google step into the job search game – and that is exactly what they did in 2017 when they launched their new search engine tool Google For Jobs.

This is not a job board, but an aggregator of job openings that are already published on the internet. You can narrow down search results by title, location, date posted, type, company, type, and employer. You can save jobs you’re interested in as well as set up email alerts to have new jobs sent to your inbox instantly, daily or weekly!

Indeed For Job Seekers

Indeed is another job search engine aggregator pulling from thousands of job boards, however, it also has the ability for employers to post jobs directly to the site. According to their website, 70% of US Job seekers online use Indeed to look for jobs.

As an employer, we also have great success hiring traveling contract workers through Indeed so it’s worth checking out if you’re not familiar with it.

RoadDogJobs - Jobs In The Trades

RoadDogJobs.com is specifically for connecting skilled trades and employers looking for traveling contract work. There is also a Facebook group  to join as well where people post job opportunities and you can network with other traveling skilled tradespeople. 

Roadtechs - Nuclear, Technical, Professional and Power Industry Jobs

Another specific site for finding traveling contract jobs that pay per diem is Roadtechs . There are a variety of contract jobs posted there and include jobs in petrochemical, construction, shipyard/marine, aerospace, and Manufacturing to name a few. 

Facebook Groups 

Traveling Contract Jobs

This is a networking group for those looking for traveling contract jobs throughout the United States. Industries include, but aren’t limited to skilled trades, craftsmen/craftswomen, nursing, construction, etc.

RoadDogJobs About: This is a group for job postings only. We DO NOT hire, only post jobs-related information.  On the Road Again About: We are a group of heavy industrial construction workers that travel job to job. Non-union and union. We work in refineries, nuke plants, power plants, trash burners, paper mills, oil fields, and shipyards.

Tips for job seekers from experienced traveling contractors .

Save contact information from all of the people you see posting about travel jobs -- a contact is a contact. The company may have posted an ad and by the time you call, they may NOT be hiring anymore. However, who's to say that a new req may not have come in 30 minutes later? Stay diligent. Keep trying. New reqs sometimes come in every hour of every day. 

Stock up on food and snacks at dollar stores before traveling because truck stops are expensive. 

To help pad your resume, take the OSHA 10 or even the OSHA 30 hr course, available online. Knowledge of safety looks great to an employer, especially when you're lacking in experience on the job. 

Traveling contract work provides you with a lot of job flexibility. You can travel a lot and see various parts of the country, and you will never be bored because you will be working on diverse projects. Also, it is a great way to make good money.

A traveling contractor is usually hired for 2-3 months, but in the case of bigger projects, it can even be a year or so. They provide help during the busiest times and make it possible for companies to catch up on their production backlogs.

Typically, staffing companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) to search for candidates nowadays, so make sure to include proper keywords in your resume. They need to be related to the industry and job openings. 

Also, submit it as a Word document instead of a PDF because, in this way, it may be easier to read by the system. 

Apart from that, it’s recommended to place the most recent project you worked on at the top, followed by your licenses and certifications.

Of course! When you become a traveling contractor, you will be able to select the projects you like from the ones staffing agencies will suggest to you. To maximize the probability of getting suitable offers, please make sure to specify your project preferences, availability, and other vital information.

You can be sure your recruiter will share the PPE requirements for the facility with you. Usually, contractors bring such equipment as welding hoods or steel toe boots, while hearing and eye protection tools are typically offered on-site by the client company.

Speak to our recruiters today!

Our recruiters are available to answer your questions Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 to 5:00 Eastern time. Call (888) 243-7202.

Contact Details

Madicorp.com, blog categories.

• Manufacturing (9)
• Workforce (9)
• Labor Relations (7)
• Recruiting (6)
• Automotive (5)
• Contingency Planning (2)
• Retention (2)

Follow MADI on:

©2017 MADICORP™.      Privacy Policy     Terms of Use    Sitemap Featured logos are trademarks of their respective owners. Third party trademarks, logos and trade names appearing on the site are the property of their respective owners ©2017 MADICORP™

Welcome to Union Jobs Clearinghouse , our central site for posting the open positions in unions and socially allied organizations and community organizations that are now accepting applications.

Celebrating over 27 years of putting people to work!

A Sonu Sood initiative

One platform for all your booking needs. Join the Travel Union Network.

Become a member today and get maximum inventory options at the best prices.

To watch your travel business grow. Join the Travel Union Network.

Bus, train, flight and hotel. Become a member and manage all your bookings together.

Start a zero-investment business. Join the Travel Union Network.

Open the road to your new future as a successful travel agent.

Watch your earnings grow with your Travel Union membership.

Earn up to ₹50,000 a month with zero investment on this new rural travel business platform.

Starting your business is easy with Travel Union.

Join the one-stop rural travel agent platform and earn up to ₹50,000 a month.

Earn upto ₹50,000 a month with just your phone. Get started with Sonu Sood’s new travel agent platform.

Unlimited direct bookings with IRCTC. Join the Travel Union Network.

Lowest IRCTC license fee of ₹1,199 with full cashback refund.

What we offer.

Everything you need for your travel business on one app.

Become an IRCTC Agent. Book Train tickets anywhere across the country with 24/7 Customer Support to help you at any point.

Book AC and non-AC, state and private bus tickets at lowest prices with over 10,000+ bus operators

Make direct flight bookings with over 550 airlines worldwide

Make bookings for 10,00,000+ hotels and apartments worldwide

Get to know us.

Travel Union, is an assisted travel business brand for rural India. We are a one-stop-shop for all travel businesses and agents across India’s hinterlands, offering the best inventory, competitive prices, and state-of-the-art technology. We aim at empowering the rural audience by enabling them to do business at zero investment.

To be the largest digital travel services platform serving 1 billion Bharat population.

To digitally empower and build a leading travel agent business community in rural India.

What makes us unique?

Get a wide range of industry first offerings, zero onboarding costs.

Become a Travel Union member with zero investment.

Lowest prices

Enjoy the best prices and inventory available in the market.

Free IRCTC ID

Deposit of ₹1,199 will be refunded over a period of 8 months, making the ID effectively free.

Highest margins

Get complete control over your profit margins and your own ticket mark-ups.

Direct booking

Direct booking across flights and hotels.

Online cancellation and instant refund

No wait period on refunds or cancellations of any ticket.

24x7 customer support

Our customer care is committed to addressing all your questions and complaints promptly 24x7.

Available in 13 languages

App and web portal is available in 13 languages

Who is it for?

The new road to progress, for every indian travel agent, small business owner, and enterprise., travel agents.

Enjoy best prices and inventory with Travel Union, a super agrregator and one-stop-shop for all your travel booking needs.

Small business owners

Add a travel desk to your business and enjoy more earnings and growth.

Manage all employee and business travel for your company through one app, and enjoy endless options, best prices, dedicated support and more!

Become a Travel Union member and earn up to

Are you ready to start earning, become a travel union member in 2 quick steps:.

• Install the app/go to the web portal, and login with your details.
• Register by submitting any one identity proof, and you’re all set!

Coming soon!

More exciting reasons to be a travel union member..

App and web portal in 11 more regional languages

Domestic and international holiday packages

Visa and passport services

Foreign exchange services

Travel luggage and accessories

Need more assistance, contact us!

Travel union (spice money limited).

Global Knowledge Park, 19A & 19B, Sector-125, Noida 201301, Uttar Pradesh .

[email protected]

0120-5077784

Work with Us

Join Our Team

Current job openings.

Legislative Representative/Generalist Safety and Health Assistant Senior Safety and Health Specialist

Center for Transformational Organizing (CTO)

Senior Researcher—Southern Region Senior Researcher—Washington, D.C. (Headquarters) or Southern Region

Communications

Communications Coordinator, Clean Energy Jobs Director of Media Relations Press Secretary Senior Social Media Strategist

Economic Power and Growth

Assistant Director of Growth Strategies—At Large

Office of the General Counsel

Administrative Assistant for the Union Lawyers Alliance

Office of the President

Administrative Specialist

Political and Field Mobilization

Governance and Organizational Development Coordinator Temporary Administrative Specialist Temporary Campaign Coordinator: At Large (three positions) Temporary Campaign Coordinator: Arizona Temporary Campaign Coordinator: Georgia Temporary Campaign Coordinator: Nevada Temporary Campaign Coordinator: North Carolina Temporary Campaign Coordinator: Ohio Temporary Campaign Coordinator: Pennsylvania Temporary Campaign Coordinator: Wisconsin Temporary Senior Field Coordinator, Western Region

Technology Institute

Events and Communications Coordinator   Project Manager, AFL-CIO Working for America Institute

View additional job openings in the labor movement .

Additional Opportunities

Become a union organizer.

Union organizers are on the front lines of activism, building power while engaging in the important social and economic issues facing working families. Organizers are a resource for working people who are interested in forming a union. The Organizing Institute develops and promotes the craft of organizing. We recruit and train new organizers; collaborate in solidarity with community allies; and share innovations and strategic campaigns for social justice.

• Attend a three-day training workshop to get a start as a union organizer.

Become a Strategic Researcher

Strategic corporate researchers work for labor unions, environmental justice groups and community-based organizations. Strategic researchers provide insights on corporate ownership, finances, organizational structure and connections and help progressive organizations understand the sources of corporate power.

Strategic Corporate Research Summer School, June 23–28, 2024

The AFL-CIO and Cornell University are sponsoring a Strategic Corporate Research Summer School on June 23-28, 2024. The application deadline is May 1. The course is designed for students and others who want to make corporations accountable by working as researchers in unions and social change organizations. The course offers a regular track and an advanced track with an additional research and writing requirement. It is open to individuals applying on their own and to individuals sponsored by unions and other organizations. Scholarships are available to non-sponsored individuals who qualify. Inquire if interested in obtaining course credit. For more info, email [email protected] , call (607) 391-1242, or go to the course website .

• Learn more about the Strategic Corporate Research Summer School .

We use cookies to offer you the best possible website experience. Your cookie preferences will be stored in your browser’s local storage. This includes cookies necessary for the website's operation. Additionally, you can freely decide and change any time whether you accept cookies or choose to opt out of cookies to improve website's performance, as well as cookies used to display content tailored to your interests. Your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer may be impacted if you do not accept all cookies.

• WHY WORK HERE
• RAILROAD OPERATIONS
• PROFESSIONAL
• CURRENT UP EMPLOYEES
• CORPORATE RELATIONS
• CREW MANAGEMENT AND INTERLINE
• CUSTOMER CARE & SUPPORT
• ENGINEERING
• FINANCE AND REAL ESTATE
• HARRIMAN DISPATCHING CENTER
• HUMAN RESOURCES
• INTERNSHIPS
• LOUP LOGISTICS
• MARKETING AND SALES
• NETWORK PLANNING AND OPERATIONS
• OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM
• SUPPLY, PROCUREMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL
• TRANSPORTATION
• ALL JOB OPPORTUNITIES
• TALENT COMMUNITY
• Why Work Here
• Railroad Operations
• Professional
• Applicant Status (Prior to July 6)
• Current UP Employees
• Corporate Relations
• Crew Management and Interline
• Customer Care and Support
• Engineering
• Finance and Real Estate
• Harriman Dispatching Center
• Human Resources
• Internships
• Loup Logistics
• Marketing and Sales
• Network Planning and Operations
• Operations Management Training Program
• Supply, Procurement and Environmental
• Transportation
• All Job Opportunities

Train Crew employees are responsible for providing the safe and timely movement of customers’ freight.  After training you will be assigned to work either road service or yard service based on your seniority within the hub (territory) you were hired.  Road service is safe and efficient transport of customer’s freight from one terminal to the next.  Yard service is the sorting of rail cars within the terminal to be placed on outbound trains.  Previous railroad experience is not required; we provide all the necessary training.

What Should You Know?

• Training is 14 weeks and includes classroom and on-the-job-training.  Successful completion of all exams during the training period is a requirement for continued employment.
• Instead of working a standard 40-hour week, there are variable work hours and irregularly scheduled days off. Train Crew employees are on call, even on nights, weekends, and holidays, and are required to report to work within 90 minutes of notification.
• You will likely not be eligible for scheduled time off during your first year of employment.
• You may travel with our trains, sometimes spending a day or more away from your home terminal.
• The railroad never stops – you’ll work outdoors in all weather conditions, including snow, ice, rain, cold and heat. For your safety, and the safety of those around you, Personal Protective Equipment– such as safety glasses, safety boots, hard hats, and hearing protection must be worn in required areas.
• Union Pacific does not tolerate the use of drugs and alcohol. You will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing, mandatory testing for reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing when applicable.
• If hired, know that changing hub (territory) locations and/or crafts (moving from train crew to mechanical or engineering) are approved based on business demands and may not be granted.  Plan to commit to your craft and work location for a minimum of 2 years.   
• Temporary furloughs are possible depending on fluctuations in business volumes. Furloughs and subsequent recalls to work are based on seniority dates.
• For more information refer to our Train Crew FAQ page.
• Join Talent Community
• View All Job Categories

Cookie Consent Manager

© Union Pacific Railroad Company. 1994-2023. All rights reserved.

When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

Required Cookies

These cookies are required to use this website and can't be turned off.

Functional Cookies

These cookies provide a better customer experience on this site, such as by remembering your login details, optimizing video performance, or providing us with information about how our site is used. You may freely choose to accept or decline these cookies at any time. Note that certain functionalities that these third-parties make available may be impacted if you do not accept these cookies.

The largest country in the world at 17,075,400 square kilometres (or 6,592,800 sq mi), Russia has accumulated quite an impressive reputation. Covering more than an eight of the Earth's land area, 142 million people live there making it the ninth largest nation by population . Still known for its impressive days as the expansive Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Russia was the world's first and largest constitutionally socialist state. A recognized superpower, the USSR was known for its excellence in both arts and science winning many awards in both fields.

Russia changed drastically after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, but it continues to be a powerful and important nation. It has one of the world's fastest growing economies and the world's eight largest GDP by nominal GDP. Russia is also one of the five countries which officially recognized nuclear weapons states. In conjunction with this title, Russia is also a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the G8, APEC and the SCO, and is a leading member of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

A European city in a country that lies over a vast part of Asia, Moscow holds one-tenth of all Russian residents . The city is located in the western region of Russia and is the capital and epicentre of political, economic, cultural, religious, financial, educational, and transportation happenings. "Muscovites" , as residents are known, tend to be cultured and worldly. This may be due to the many scientific, educational, and artistic institutions that are based here. An intoxicating mix of the exotic and the familiar, it is the largest city in Europe with the Moscow metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world.

The city is situated on the banks of the Moskva River which flows through much of central Russia. Moscow is actually located in a basin for the Volga, Oka, Klyazma, and Moscow rivers. The city of Moscow is 994 sq. km with 49 bridges spanning the rivers and canals that criss-cross the city.

Forests are another part of Moscow's make-up. They coveer over a third of the territory in the region. A variety of animals like elk, wild boar, deer, foxes, weasels, lynx, martens, and birds make their home here.

Located in the UTC+3 time zone , Moscow has a humid continental climate. The summers tend to be warm and humid and the winters are long, cold, and hard. High temperatures occur during the warm months of June, July and August at about 23 °C (73 °F). Heat waves sometimes grip the city anywhere between May to September with temperatures spiking up to 30 °C (86 °F). Winters are harshly chilly with temperatures dropping to approximately 9 °C (15.8 °F). There is consistent snow cover for 3 to 5 months a year, usually from November to March.

Update 10/07/2009

Recommended Partners

Keep more of your money when transferring funds overseas.

If you want to move money abroad, from Russia or to Russia for example, Fexco provides efficient and secure global bank to bank transfers and bespoke payment solutions for both business and personal clients.

Fexco provides a secure international money transfer service online or by telephone with bank beating fx rates and low fees. Specialises in high-value transfers.

Main characteristics

Fexco will help you to keep your overseas money transfer costs to a minimum.

Get an online quote today

When you are ready to make your transfer, John and his team will be available to help you with better rates and an unrivalled service to make sure your funds are delivered securely and speedily.

• What courses for adults can you find abroad?
• How should I tip in restaurants in Europe?
• Schengen Area: Do I need a visa?
• Where is it safe to live/travel as a homosexual?
• What are the most expensive cities to live in?

Download the full digital PDF expat guide in Moscow

• See in one single booklet all the articles for a city guide for expatriates.
• Enjoy full colour photos to illustrate each section.
• Additionnal maps: Region, City view, Neighborhood, Street view.

• Moscow: Looking for a Job in Moscow
• Moscow: EasyExpat.com is looking for networkers/helpers for...
• Moscow: EasyExpat.com recherche des animateurs pour notre...
• Moscow: New à Moscou
• Moscow: Weekend in Moscow: what to do?
• Forums : Moscow  

• Find more expat blogs with BlogExpat

• Classifieds in Moscow
• Post a free ad

• Find a job in Moscow

- My Life Abroad - A selection of expat stories

"A fun compulsive read!" J. Matcham, Amazon

"I strongly advise people ready to live abroad to read this book!" Patrice, Amazon

• Advertising
• Privacy Policy

Stay connected

Expat Network

Local elections live: 'Devastated' Tory candidate Andy Street refuses to blame Rishi Sunak after shock West Midlands defeat

Labour pulls off a stunning victory in the West Midlands mayoral election, with Tory incumbent Andy Street losing by just 1,508 votes.

Sunday 5 May 2024 00:22, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Labour wins West Midlands mayoral election
• 'Devastated' Street refuses to blame Sunak for loss
• Tory MP says 'awful' results should be 'massive wake-up call' in WhatsApps leaked to Sky News
• Khan heckled by losing candidate as he's declared winner of London mayoral election
• Darren McCaffrey:  London loss asks bigger questions of the Conservatives
• Andy Burnham re-elected as Greater Manchester mayor
• Lib Dems win more council seats than Tories in England
• Sam Coates:  Tory MPs sad but not mutinous
• Vote 2024:   Council results in full  |  Mayoral results in full
• Live reporting by Charlotte Chelsom-Pill and (earlier)  Ben Bloch

Thanks for joining us for another extremely busy day of local election news. You can join us tomorrow morning for a special election episode of Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.

Until then, here are today's headlines:

• Tory incumbent Andy Street has suffered a shock loss to Labour in the West Midlands mayoral race in a major blow to the prime minister;
• Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has heralded the win as a "significant piece of political history";
• Sadiq Khan has won a historic third term as London mayor;
• Andy Burnham was re-elected as Greater Manchester mayor for a third term with more than 60% of the vote;
• Labour also won mayoral races in West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region and Salford ;
• The results mean Labour has won all but one of the mayoral races they were contesting, losing Tees Valley to the Tory incumbent;
• The Conservatives have lost 473 seats and control of 12 councils;
• Labour has gained eight councils and 185 seats;
• The results mean the  Liberal Democrats  have won more council seats than the Conservatives;
• The  Green Party  has netted an extra 74 seats, making serious gains in places like Bristol.

Richard Parker has pulled off a surprise victory in the West Midlands mayoral election.

The Labour candidate unseated Andy Street, winning by just 1,508 votes, to end the Tory's seven-year term.

Here's what you need to know about the relatively unknown politician.

Originally from Bristol, Mr Parker's father was a dock worker and his mother a school secretary.

He left school aged 16 and went straight to work at a local port authority before getting an economics degree.

Mr Parker went to work for PwC in 1989, where he gained his accountancy qualifications and went on to become a partner, managing the accountancy firm's relationship with the Labour Party.

Mr Parker also worked with council leaders to set up the West Midlands Combined Authority in 2016 before leaving to set up his own company RP Strategy.

Read more here:

By Andy Hayes, news reporter

Tory incumbent Andy Street has suffered a shock defeat to Labour in the West Midlands mayoral election after a partial recount was ordered.

Labour's Richard Parker beat Mr Street by just 1,508 votes - 0.25% - to deliver a major blow to Rishi Sunak in the key electoral battleground after a hammering in the local elections.

With the race neck-and-neck, in the end it came down to the results in one borough - Labour-supporting Sandwell.

"This is the most important thing I will ever do," Mr Parker said in his acceptance speech.

"I promise you that I will deliver jobs," he added.

He told Sky News he would take buses "back into public control" and deliver the "largest programme of social housing we've had in this region for more than 40 years".

And he thanked his predecessor, who he said had "led this region through a number of great challenges and you deserve great credit for that".

Labour's win in the West Midlands has left Rishi Sunak with "just one man standing", Sky's  political editor Beth Rigby  says. 

The Conservatives have now lost all of the mayoral races in this election, with the exception of Tees Valley. 

Beth says one senior Labour figure has told her the West Midlands was the Tory scalp Labour really wanted - and were pulling resources from Tees Valley to make it happen.

"They were really fighting hard to take this Tory jewel from the crown," she says.

The "energy and the euphoria was palpable" within the Labour camp after victory was declared, Beth says .

"They were so wired, excited, euphoric about this win because for them it is huge."

She says you could feel among the Labour activists, and Sir Keir Starmer himself, that they are beginning to feel "they can really do this" in the general election.

Symbolically they can say "we took your crown jewel in the West Midlands and we are coming for those seats".

"It gives Starmer momentum and it will leave the Conservatives hugely deflated," she adds.

Labour's new mayor for the West Midlands Richard Parker tells Sky News he plans to "work really closely with a future Labour government".

"I think that's the best way for us to work together for the wider benefit of this region," he says.

Mr Parker defeated Tory incumbent Andy Street in a major blow to the Conservatives.

Labour's election success is a "vindication of the hard work that we've done to change the Labour Party," Sir Keir Starmer says.

He heralds the "phenomenal result" in the West Midlands, which saw Labour's Richard Parker defeat the Tory incumbent. 

But he says Labour is now stepping up again towards the general election "so that we can serve the working people once again as a new and changed party".

He is asked about the extent to which Labour's stance on the Gaza war has cost the party votes.

"Where we have not been able to persuade people who might otherwise have voted for Labour, it is important to acknowledge that - to say I have heard, I've listened and I am determined to meet the concerns they have and win back their trust and confidence."

"But nothing takes away from the significance of this victory here in the West Midlands," he says.

Labour's Richard Parker is appearing alongside Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer after winning the West Midlands mayoral race. 

"It's time for a fresh start ... we start on Monday," Mr Parker says to a loud applause.

Speaking next, Sir Keir declares: "What a way to end the local elections in 2024". 

"This is a significant piece of political history that we have made here today," he says.

Defeated Conservative mayor Andy Street tells Sky News he would advise against his party drifting to the right, saying his brand of "tolerant conservatism" has come "within an ace of beating the Labour Party".

"The thing everyone should take from Birmingham in the West Midlands tonight is this brand of moderate, inclusive, tolerant conservatism that gets on and delivered has come within an ace of beating the Labour Party in, what they considered to be their backyard," he says. 

"That's the message from here tonight."

Asked if he is worried the Conservative party is drifting to the right and over-emphasising the threat from Reform UK while "ignoring other voters", he said: "I would definitely not advise that drift.

"The psychology here is really very straight forward isn't it: this is the youngest, most diverse, one of the most urban places in Britain and we've done, many would say, extremely well over a consistent period.

"The message is clear: winning from that centre ground is what happens."

Mr Street lost to Labour's Richard Parker in the West Midlands mayoral race by a margin of 1,508 votes.

Defeated Conservative mayor Andy Street tells Sky News he is "hugely disappointed" and "devastated", but "incredibly proud" to lose by a small margin of votes in a region of millions, "given the situation the party finds itself in".

"Given that this has always been a place where some people said you should never have won in the first place, I'm actually very, very proud of what we've done," he says.

"I genuinely believed we were making real progress across the region on so many pieces.

"And for that to be closed off, that is disappointing in the extreme."

But he says "we did not persuade enough people that our record was as good as I believed it was, or that our plans for the future were exciting enough".

Asked if it was the national Conservative Party picture that led to his defeat, he said: "It was my campaign totally".

"I am not going to try to push responsibility anywhere else ... they'll be no sloping shoulders from me".

Defeated Conservative mayor Andy Street has said he is sorry he "couldn't make it the hat-trick" after losing to Labour's Richard Parker in the West Midlands mayoral race. 

In a short speech, Mr Street said it had been his "honour" to serve as mayor for the last seven years, telling his team "you will be back".

He says he hopes he has led with "dignity and integrity" and has "bequeathed to Richard a combined authority and indeed a role to which young aspiring leaders will want to aspire one day".

"In a sense, I can have done no more than that," he said.

Mr Street thanked his fellow candidates, including Mr Parker, for a "very courteous campaign", wishing Mr Parker "all strength and wisdom as he takes on this role".

"Thank you and goodnight," he concluded.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free