- Conference
- 2010 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 17 February 2010
- Decision
- Carried
Conference believes that the National Minimum Wage has been one of the government’s most successful policies, bringing legal protection to millions of low paid workers. It has been a key weapon in the battle against exploitation at work, especially benefiting women, young people, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) and migrant workers and other vulnerable groups.
Prior to the introduction of the minimum wage, the Conservatives claimed that it would destroy up to two million jobs and push up inflation and interest rates. None of these fears have materialised.
There is no justification from a business perspective for the Conservative party to attack the National Minimum Wage and yet it has. In the 10 years since its introduction, the national minimum wage has gained wide acceptance among employers. Nine in ten of the employers surveyed by Industrial relations service (IRS) supported the current adult rate of minimum wage, with many advocating the extension of the adult rate to those under 22. 70% of employers reported that they had either suffered no negative consequences as a result of the minimum wage, or that their experience had been positive.
While the Conservative party claim that their current policy is to support the retention of the National Minimum Wage, conference is concerned that the legislation would be threatened by any future Conservative government.
Conference notes a recent Conservative Private Member’s Bill which attempted to undermine the National Minimum wage by allowing companies and employees to opt out of the minimum wage. The inevitable consequence of an opt-out system would be to put unacceptable pressure on workers to forego their minimum wage entitlements, undermining the whole purpose of legislation.
Conference reaffirms UNISON’s unwavering support for a National Minimum Wage, set at a rate that provides a living wage and is universally and rigorously enforced.
Conference calls on the National Executive Council to develop the widest possible campaign to defend and extend the National Minimum Wage, specifically to call on the Government to:
1)Reaffirm its commitment to the tripartite Low Pay Commission;
2)Reject any initiative which would undermine the National Minimum Wage;
3)Increase the rate of the National Minimum Wage to a level which provides a living wage;
4)In keeping with our position on the ‘rate for the job’ pay the same rate to all workers, regardless of age;
5)Continue to strengthen the enforcement mechanism.