Calls For Pay Increase

Public sector workers march through Glasgow and London to call for a decent pay rise.

The GMB says members have faced imposed pay freezes or derisory pay offers which do not bring earnings up to the levels that were lost during the long running recession.

GMB members with flags and banners will attend marches and rallies in London, Glasgow and Belfast today in support of decent pay rises for all workers and for economic and social justice.

The Glasgow march, called by STUC, will assemble at 10am in Glasgow Green and move off at 10.30am for a Rally in George Square to say it is time to create a just Scotland.
 
Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary, said: "People are currently facing the biggest squeeze on their incomes since Victorian times, and wages have fallen in real terms every year since 2010. 

"The economic recovery has a long way to go as even with strong growth this year GDP per head will be still 3% below 2007 levels. This is the root cause of the value of earnings being down by 14% in real terms. See notes to editors for changes in GDP per head since 2007. 

"Living standards of GMB members continue to decline, because of increased housing costs, childcare, food and utility bills. Members have faced imposed pay freezes, or derisory pay offers which do not bring earnings up to the levels that were lost during this long running recession.

"Wealth and income inequality in the UK is now once again at pre WW1 levels. The divide in society has never been wider and we are seeing a return to the days of the workhouse with food banks becoming the soup kitchen. 

"All workers expect is a fair days pay for a fair days, which provides respect and dignity for them and their families. This is not a lot to ask or expect it is a basic right.  To tackle this we need action for both short and longer term. The minimum wage should rise, the public sector pay cap should go and a living wage should be mandatory. 

"To achieve this we need a Labour Government committed to pursue a sustainable economic recovery, not one based on political ideology, to boost incomes and reduce insecurity for workers and their families."