Menu
21/06/2012
Unite Takes The Fight For Fair Pay To Council Chiefs
Low paid local government workers will take their fight for fair pay to council bosses next week (Tuesday 26 June) at one of the year's biggest political conferences.
Around 1,000 leading decision-makers from councils across England and Wales will descend on Birmingham for the 16th annual Local Government Association (LGA) conference. Unite members will be there to drive home the message that 'paying fair, pays off'.
Where: Birmingham International Convention Centre (ICC), Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA
When: 11am, Tuesday, 26 June. Followed by a fringe meeting: from 1.30pm-2.30pm, Unite Transport House, 211 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1AY
Unite, Britain's biggest union, which has 100,000 members in local government, is calling for the end of the three-year long pay freeze which has seen workers’ pay slashed by an average of 11 per cent in the last year alone.
Unite says with the lowest paid local government workers earning just 22 pence more than the national minimum wage (currently £6.08 an hour) and over half a million earning less than £15,000 a year, the LGA must do more to end the squeeze on workers.
Birmingham city council’s recent announcement (8 June) that it plans to pay the living wage (£7.20 or £8.30 in London) to more than 2,500 dinner ladies, cleaners, street sweepers and other low-paid workers is a strong incentive to council chiefs gathered in the city to do better for their workforces.
Plans by the LGA to abolish the three main long standing collective agreements are viewed by Unite as an attack on national collective bargaining, with the ultimate aim of slashing back on workers' hard fought for terms and conditions.
Peter Allenson, Unite national officer for local authorities, said: “Council chiefs should take a leaf out of the books of Birmingham, Lewisham and Islington councils, and pay their workforces a fair and decent wage.
“Birmingham city council has recognised that paying workers a fair and decent wage reaps long-term economical benefits. This is because for every £1 local government workers earn in wages, they re-spend 52.5p in their local economies.”
(CD)
Around 1,000 leading decision-makers from councils across England and Wales will descend on Birmingham for the 16th annual Local Government Association (LGA) conference. Unite members will be there to drive home the message that 'paying fair, pays off'.
Where: Birmingham International Convention Centre (ICC), Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA
When: 11am, Tuesday, 26 June. Followed by a fringe meeting: from 1.30pm-2.30pm, Unite Transport House, 211 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1AY
Unite, Britain's biggest union, which has 100,000 members in local government, is calling for the end of the three-year long pay freeze which has seen workers’ pay slashed by an average of 11 per cent in the last year alone.
Unite says with the lowest paid local government workers earning just 22 pence more than the national minimum wage (currently £6.08 an hour) and over half a million earning less than £15,000 a year, the LGA must do more to end the squeeze on workers.
Birmingham city council’s recent announcement (8 June) that it plans to pay the living wage (£7.20 or £8.30 in London) to more than 2,500 dinner ladies, cleaners, street sweepers and other low-paid workers is a strong incentive to council chiefs gathered in the city to do better for their workforces.
Plans by the LGA to abolish the three main long standing collective agreements are viewed by Unite as an attack on national collective bargaining, with the ultimate aim of slashing back on workers' hard fought for terms and conditions.
Peter Allenson, Unite national officer for local authorities, said: “Council chiefs should take a leaf out of the books of Birmingham, Lewisham and Islington councils, and pay their workforces a fair and decent wage.
“Birmingham city council has recognised that paying workers a fair and decent wage reaps long-term economical benefits. This is because for every £1 local government workers earn in wages, they re-spend 52.5p in their local economies.”
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 January 2015
Union Seals Better Pay Deal For Woolwich Ferry Workers
A strike by Woolwich Ferry workers has been averted after Unite the union secured a better pay deal for the workforce, and persuaded ferry operator Briggs Marine to abandon threats to tear up long-standing agreements.
Union Seals Better Pay Deal For Woolwich Ferry Workers
A strike by Woolwich Ferry workers has been averted after Unite the union secured a better pay deal for the workforce, and persuaded ferry operator Briggs Marine to abandon threats to tear up long-standing agreements.
17 February 2015
Police Forces Support Improved Pay Offer
Members of Unite the union, working for police forces in England and Wales have backed an improved pay offer in a ballot, it has been announced. Civilian staff, including 999 call handlers, scene of crime officers, police community support officers and custody officers, accepted the revised pay offer of 2.2%, or £400, whichever is greater, by 92%.
Police Forces Support Improved Pay Offer
Members of Unite the union, working for police forces in England and Wales have backed an improved pay offer in a ballot, it has been announced. Civilian staff, including 999 call handlers, scene of crime officers, police community support officers and custody officers, accepted the revised pay offer of 2.2%, or £400, whichever is greater, by 92%.
18 September 2014
DSG Workers To Ballot For Industrial Action Over Pay Dispute
Workers at the cash-rich Defence Support Group (DSG) are being balloted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, as the group faces being sold off to the private sector next year.
DSG Workers To Ballot For Industrial Action Over Pay Dispute
Workers at the cash-rich Defence Support Group (DSG) are being balloted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, as the group faces being sold off to the private sector next year.
01 October 2010
Pay Rises Before 2013 'Unrealistic' – IBEC
An influential Irish employers group has said any expectation of a pay rise by employees is "unrealistic". The employers' body IBEC made the claim after publishing the results of its survey showing the majority of companies could still not afford pay increases over the next two years.
Pay Rises Before 2013 'Unrealistic' – IBEC
An influential Irish employers group has said any expectation of a pay rise by employees is "unrealistic". The employers' body IBEC made the claim after publishing the results of its survey showing the majority of companies could still not afford pay increases over the next two years.
22 September 2015
Threat Of Strike Action By Bromley Refuse Workers Has 'Doubled Their Money' - Unite
The threat of strike action by Bromley refuse workers has "doubled their money" with an increased pay offer, which sets an example for other firms that provide outsourced local government services.
Threat Of Strike Action By Bromley Refuse Workers Has 'Doubled Their Money' - Unite
The threat of strike action by Bromley refuse workers has "doubled their money" with an increased pay offer, which sets an example for other firms that provide outsourced local government services.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
