Labour Link reminded shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper this week of the “outrage” felt by the union’s members over Labour’s position on public sector pay.
Labour leader Ed Miliband and shadow chancellor Ed Balls angered unions earlier this year with their assertion that the government’s public sector pay freeze would continue if Labour regained power.
With local government staff entering their third year without a pay rise, feelings on the subject were high as Labour Link’s national committee with shadow ministers in Westminster.
“We pressed Yvette Cooper hard on the issue of public sector pay,” said Labour Link chair Steve Warwick. ““And we told her how outraged UNISON members had been at the suggestion that Labour would freeze pay.
“She recognised the unfairness that low-paid workers face when pay is frozen or cut, as their bills are spiralling. She suggested that Labour would make sure that more goes to those at the bottom.
“But that isn’t enough – we will continue to argue that more needs to be done, and that there is a strong economic case for making sure that all public service workers are properly rewarded.”
The meeting also discussed a number of issues of concern on which UNISON and Labour intend to work together, including the need to protect the jobs of police support staff, government attacks on facilities time, and equality issues – including the pressure on women of benefits cuts.