It’s time public sector workers got a pay rise. Since 2010, dedicated staff have endured a pay freeze, and then a 1% cap. We’re calling on the government to Pay Up Now for the South West!
Public sector salaries haven’t even nearly kept up with the cost of living, putting the squeeze on family budgets year on year.
Now the tide may be turning, but only if we all come together to put pressure on the government to finally agree a fair wage boost for public sector staff.
Tell us your story about what ending the pay cap would mean to you and your family. Take part here >>
In the South West, average wages in real terms (that means adjusted for inflation) have fallen by about £1500 since 2008, though this figure is as high as £1750 in Bristol. Lots of towns in our region already had low average wages, but they are not cheap places to live – so people are struggling. Since 2010 public sector wages have increased by just 4%, but the cost of living has gone up by 22%.
The public sector should offer secure and fairly paid jobs, especially because in many communities there are not many other big employers, so public employment creates an “anchor” around which other parts of the economy can grow.
Our general campaigning efforts come under the Pay Up Now! banner:
- Service group campaigns in local government, health etc are being launched to focus on the specific pay claim in each sector
- Local government has started the Fair Pay Now! campaign for the 5% plus real living wage claim agreed by members in that service group
UNISON is working across the country for an end to the public sector pay cap. In the South West we are also working on the following:
- Working with Labour groups on councils to put motions calling for fair wages for local government and school staff
- Sharing case studies of public services and staff struggling because of the pay cap
- More actions will come soon. Get in touch with southwest@unison.co.uk if you have an idea!
Council lobby dates:
- Bristol rally – 9 September 2017
- Gloucestershire county – 13 September 2017 – PASSED!
- B&NES – 14 September 2017 – Tories voted down our pay cap motion
- Plymouth – 25 September – PASSED!
- North Somerset – 26 September 2017 – Tories voted down our pay cap motion
- Somerset county council – 29 November – Tories voted down our pay cap motion
- Bristol public sector pay motion – 15 January (depending on time)
- More being confirmed…