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

Interim Head of Waste Management

Essex County Council
Up to £650.0000 per day + Umbrella
Interim Head of Waste ManagementTemporary, Full TimePay Rate
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planning Policy Officer

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£44,355 - £53,120 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Planning Policy Officer to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Occupational Therapist

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£35,676 - £42,811 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire / Multiple
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Personal Advisor

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37,766- £47,830 per annum
Personal Advisor£37,766- £47,830 ... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Social Worker (Hospital Team)

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£45,831 - £50,414 per annum, plus an annual retention bonus of £3,000 subject to eligibility.
We have exciting opportunities for Senior Social Workers to join the Hospital Discharge Team! Maidenhead, Berkshire
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
Linkedin Banner