William Eichler 22 March 2022

Unison calls for above-inflation pay rise for public sector

Unison calls for above-inflation pay rise for public sector  image
Image: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com.

The UK’s biggest union has called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to fund an above-inflation pay rise for public sector workers.

Ahead of tomorrow’s spring statement, general secretary of Unison Christina McAnea warned that the cost-of-living crisis has led to many Unison members struggling to feed their families, pay rent and mortgages, cover energy bills, and buy petrol.

‘Even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fuel and energy prices were already increasing at the fastest rate in a generation, and the war has only exacerbated this,’ she wrote in a blog post.

‘Nearly a third of UK households are forced to choose between heating and eating, and almost half of the UK’s children are in households that can’t meet the costs of basic necessities.

‘But it’s not too late – if the chancellor makes the right choices.’

Ms McAnea called for Mr Sunak to end the public sector pay freeze, increase the national minimum wage and the living wage, scrap planned tax rises for workers, and reinstate the universal credit uplift.

She also called for ‘meaningful’ action on the costs of energy, fuel, food, housing and childcare.

‘Even though public sector workers have been the force that has carried our society through the pandemic, they now stand to carry the heaviest financial burden,’ Ms McAnea wrote.

‘As prices spiral, any wage increase short of inflation is a pay cut. And as the cost-of-living crisis will increase demand on our public services, we need to retain our experienced public sector workforce and recruit more to deal with understaffing. But a pay cut is not an incentive, it’s an insult.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Finance Administrator

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Finance AdministratorPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Customer Services Adviser (Housing Repairs

Mansfield District Council
£28,598 - £33,699 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire - a place of many strong connections Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

No Wrong Door Deputy Manager

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata
We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and dynamic professional to join our management team within our innovative No Wrong Door (NWD) service. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Resource Centre Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £38,220 per annum pro rata
You will work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that you have sound knowledge of the children you are caring for Morton on Swale, Northallerton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum, pro rata
Our Family Assessment and Support Teams you will work with a range of children and their families, carers and networks. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner