Public sector pay fight continues

After an historical strike on July 10 which drew together hundreds of thousands, Unite’s public sector workers will continue in their fight for fair pay, as they vote ‘yes’ to escalating their dispute in October to demand a £1 an hour pay rise.

 
Between now and October 14, when Unite will join the GMB and Unison in a second 24-hour strike, Unite will take additional targeted action. Throughout September, Unite’s public sector workers, most of whom work in local government, will take action short of a strike at various local councils.

 
Today (August 20), the three unions will take part in a day of protest, including workplace demonstrations and lunchtime activities.

 
In an age of austerity that has viciously targeted the most vulnerable, local government workers have suffered most. They’ve seen their wages frozen without a single pay rise above inflation since 2009. Employers have this year offered a measly 1 per cent pay rise, while further up the line in government ranks, MPs have rewarded themselves with a hefty 11 per cent rise.

 
Unite national officer Fiona Farmer said, “Local government workers are the lowest paid across public sector. It is a disgrace that 400,000 are paid less than the living wage.”

 
“The national minimum wage will overtake current local government pay rates in October when it goes up to £6.50 an hour – this is how little these workers are paid,” she added. “The £1 an hour pay rise we are seeking is entirely affordable, especially when you consider that local government workers spend locally: for every £1 local government workers spend, 52p is reinvested into their local communities.”

 
Daniel, a Unite member and local government refuse driver, explains why he has joined the fight for fair pay.

 
“I’ve got my family to feed. My wife is not in work now, and we’re struggling on my wage,” Daniel said. “We’re finding it hard to pay the bills. It’s making life incredibly stressful. If the government says these cuts are necessary, then why are they getting an 11 per cent pay rise?”

 
Michael, a council worker, agrees.

 
“We’re striking for a better and fairer deal for us workers in the public sector. We’re only asking for a pound an hour,” Michael said. “They’ve offered us 1 per cent, a pound an hour works out to 8 per cent. Over the years, we’ve lost 18 per cent, so we’re really not asking for much at all.”

 
Unions across the country and around the world have joined Unite in the clarion call for fair public sector pay.
In a message of solidarity, the Czech Firefighters Union urged Unite and members of the two other striking unions to “send a message to employers that you cannot go on accepting poverty pay.”