{"id":10466,"date":"2016-11-04T14:58:07","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T14:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=10466"},"modified":"2016-11-04T14:58:07","modified_gmt":"2016-11-04T14:58:07","slug":"results-against-the-odds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=10466","title":{"rendered":"Results against the odds"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

While the numbers of people illegally being paid below the minimum wage is a relatively minor phenomenon, in the West Midlands the problem is a more worrying one.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because it tops the list of regions in the UK<\/a>, where the greatest number of people earn below the mandatory minimum \u00e2\u20ac\u201c with 40,000 people being ripped off by their bosses, a figure that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nearly doubled from last year when it stood at 24,000.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

These latest numbers add to other worrying trends in the region.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While in the rest of the country, unemployment has fallen, prompting national headlines proclaiming a jobs renaissance, the reality on the ground in the West Midlands is much different \u00e2\u20ac\u201c in fact, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the opposite, with the region being the only one to experience rising, instead of falling, joblessness<\/a> over the summer months.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

More and more West Midlands families are living on the edge \u00e2\u20ac\u201c just one accident, illness, or job loss away from being plunged into debt. A new study has found that while in the wider UK, 40 per cent of the working population has savings of less than \u00c2\u0141100, in the West Midlands more than half \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 55 per cent \u00e2\u20ac\u201c has less than \u00c2\u0141100 in the bank.<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the government\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most recent slash in the benefit cap comes into effect next week, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been estimated that 12,000 households in the West Midlands<\/a> will be affected by the cap, a cut which is set to hit children the hardest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And the TUC identified last year<\/a> that in certain parts of the West Midlands, the proportion of jobs paying less than the Living Wage \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the wage researchers have calculated as being the rate required to enjoy a basic standard of living \u00e2\u20ac\u201c is more than half.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unite West Midlands regional secretary Gerard Coyne explained the region may have higher rates of people being illegally paid below the minimum wage because of the high level of food processing jobs in the area.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Notorious <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThis industry is notorious for exploitation, paying very low rates as well as having a high number of agency workers and migrant workers,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he noted. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bIt may also be that there are problems with enforcement of the minimum wage.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Food processing jobs stand in stark contrast to the highly skilled, high-pay and unionised jobs in West Midlands auto manufacturing \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the engine that keeps the region\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s economy running.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Coyne points out that auto manufacturing, most of whose workers are Unite members, is the reason that areas in the region such as Solihull have experienced healthy, above-average wage growth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The difference Unite has made for the West Midlands auto workforce was exemplified just yesterday (November 3), when the union secured 22,000 Jaguar Land Rover workers a massive pay deal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It comprises a two-year deal of 3.5 per cent, plus a \u00c2\u0141750 bonus in year one; and an inflation proofed retail price index (RPI) plus 0.5 per cent rise in year two. Unite members are now being asked to accept the deal in a consultative ballot.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unite national officer Roger Maddison called it \u00e2\u20ac\u015ban exceptional pay deal for an exceptional workforce recognising their skills and continued hard work in making JLR a world-beating carmaker.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But Coyne warned that Brexit will be a major concern for the region in the future.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because the EU is where most of our exports in the region end up \u00e2\u20ac\u201c any tariff barriers will hit the West Midlands hard,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At the moment, Coyne noted that the devaluation of the pound is actually helping the region because it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been good for exports \u00e2\u20ac\u201c but the boost will likely only be short-lived.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He points to other chronic challenges that the West Midlands region faces, such as a large under-skilled workforce.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThis is a major issue \u00e2\u20ac\u201c we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re considerably behind the rest of the UK in training and skills,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Coyne said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A dependence on the auto manufacturing sector can also be seen as a challenge in the West Midlands, Coyne argued, because it leaves the region vulnerable in the event of a downturn in that industry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Frontlines <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Behind the numbers of a region that in many ways is being left behind in the UK is Unite Community, which is on the frontlines of government cuts that Unite Midlands community co-ordinator Shaun Pender has said is hitting the West Midlands the hardest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThe problems with the proliferation of low-pay, low-skill jobs outside of manufacturing in the region are being hugely compounded by cuts to local services and benefits,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Pender explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re seeing many people across the region being hit with benefits sanctions. Changes to disability support are seeing people fall through the cracks.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He added that cuts to local services have meant protracted job losses in a sector that was a main source of secure, well-paid work in the region. In the last five years alone, under the weight of government austerity, the West Midlands has haemorrhaged an astounding 83,000 public sector jobs.<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But just as Unite has supported the West Midlands auto workforce to achieve some of the best pay, terms and conditions in the country, so has Unite community stepped in to hit back against government cuts and reforms in the area.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been working to give people advice when they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been sanctioned and have helped people appeal when they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve lost, for example, disability benefits,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Pender noted. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bCommunity members have stood outside Job Centres giving out leaflets and advice so that people going into Job Centres know their rights.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Supporting Unite\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s industrial side, local Unite Community branches have campaigned against, for example, cuts to children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s services in Worcester. In Birmingham, Community members banded together in a day of action against bookies William Hill\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s attacks on workers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 pay. Another campaign has seen Unite community come out in support of health visitors, among other campaigns.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pender emphasises that Unite Community\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s work in the West Midlands is done collaboratively.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe work with the trades councils, with groups like the People\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Assembly, with Labour activists and others within local communities,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re never on our own and together we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re making a big difference in the West Midlands.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Investment <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Both Pender and Coyne noted that the key to the West Midlands\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 future economic prosperity is sustained and coordinated investment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe want to see a long-term industrial strategy that includes diversifying investment in different sectors while still playing to our strengths in manufacturing,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Coyne said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He added that the election of a new West Midlands metro mayor next year could bring in the sort of harmonised, long-term investment the region needs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pender agreed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThe problems that the West Midlands is experiencing now has been decades in the making after much of the heavy manufacturing jobs have gone and mostly low-wage jobs have come in to take their place,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bA proper investment strategy that addresses these structural problems in our region\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s economy is the only way forward,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While Pender welcomed the opportunities a metro mayor could present for the region, he believes the West Midlands will need more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bMore than anything, we need a wholesale change in government \u00e2\u20ac\u201c a Labour government that truly understands the importance of an industrial strategy that brings shared prosperity to all.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While the numbers of people illegally being paid below the minimum wage is a relatively minor phenomenon, in the West Midlands the problem is a more worrying one.   That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because it tops the list of regions in the UK, where the greatest number of people earn below the mandatory minimum \u00e2\u20ac\u201c with 40,000 people […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2401,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[17],"tags":[23,96],"wps_subtitle":"Unite wins high pay in West Mids \u00e2\u20ac\u201c where illegal low pay bosses rule","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10466"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10466"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10466\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10467,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10466\/revisions\/10467"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}