UNISON Cymru/Wales is calling on all MPs and AMs across Wales to publicly support the 2014/15 local government pay claim. The call comes as the first stage of the 2014/15 local government Fair Dealpay campaign, which is being launched today.
Local government wages have dropped by 18%in real terms since 2010 as a result of increased living costs, a three-year pay freeze, and a below inflation 1% spay rise this year.
“In our view, the ongoing pay situation in local government is just not sustainable and is driving people deeper into poverty,” said UNISON Cymru/Wales head of local government Dominic MacAskil
“It is impossible to justify paying any workers below the living wage. Paying poverty pay is basically sending a message to the workforce that they do not deserve an acceptable standard of living.
“Nor does it make economic sense to continue to pay such low wages. Better pay means higher rates of tax and national insurance income for the Treasury and makes far more sense than the tax payer subsidising those on low pay through in-work benefit claims.
“Our members understand that this claim comes at a time when Westminster is pushing ahead with an unprecedented austerity programme, but this claim is affordable.
“By recycling savings and the additional tax revenue into local government, the pay claim we are proposing would be paid for.
“Our message is a simple one – the status quo cannot continue. Local government in Wales has already experienced a loss of over 8,000 jobs, but services have been relatively unaffected.
“This means one thing – that local government workers are doing more for less.
“It is time for politicians to represent the needs of the local government workforce who are not only their constituents but also work tirelessly to deliver public services to their entire constituency, which is why we are calling on all Welsh AMs and MPs to support our pay claim.”
