‘Flagging morale’

This week’s announcements on public sector pay by government ministers will do little to lift flagging morale or ease the ‘pay pain’ endured for the last eight years by public sector workers,  Unite said on Tuesday (July 24).

Unite represents workers affected by Tuesday’s public sector pay announcements including the prison and probation service, as well as doctors through Doctors in Unite (DiU).

“Prison and probation staff have seen their pay packets shrink by thousands of pounds in real terms while their jobs have become harder and in some case nigh on impossible because of Tory cuts and austerity,” said Unite national officer Jim Kennedy.

“Today’s pay announcement will not cure the ills of this Tory government and will do nothing to reverse the eight years of pay pain that hardworking public sector workers have had to endure under the Tories.

“The government needs to provide additional money for a decent pay rise for all public sector workers and not expect departments to fund it out of their austerity ravaged budgets at the expense of public services.”

Unite national officer for health Sarah Carpenter added, “There is huge anger among doctors in England that yet another below inflation pay rise has been offered despite the new secretary for state for health and social care pledging a fresh start. Today’s announcement will do little to boost flagging morale. Doctors have just had enough and feel they can no longer safely care for their patients.

“Over the last ten years consultants have seen their earnings shrink by 19 per cent, GPs by 20 per cent while junior doctors have experienced a 21 per cent drop.

“That the government has overlooked public health and ignored the recommendations of the independent pay review body will only add to the anger of doctors and health professionals who continue to work tirelessly in providing the best care possible in the face of cuts.”