There’s still time to book your transport for 18 October

The government might be boasting that unemployment is down, but we know that huge numbers of new jobs are low-paid and part-time, while people’s real earnings have been falling for seven years.

That’s why the Office for Budget Responsibility has also reported that tax revenues are down, while the number of people needing in-work benefits or having to use foodbanks is on the rise.

And that is why UNISON is backing the TUC Britain Needs a Pay Rise march and rally in London on 18 October – alongside the March for Fair Pay in Belfast and the march and rally for A Just Scotland in Glasgow.

And we know that our members, branches and regions are busy, up and down the UK, preparing to make sure there’s a huge turn out.

Eastern region reports that “preparations have gone well.

“We have nine branch-organised coaches from around the region, with approximately 450 people attending – and that’s excluding those that are travelling by train or making their own way there,” said area organiser Tracey Tansley.

Cymru/Wales has spread the effort around the country, with North Wales set to send two buses, while there will be one each from Ceredigion, Carmarthen, Cardiff/Vale of Glamorgan, Neath/Port Talbot and Swansea/Bridgend, and two from Gwent.

The Wales TUC has also chartered a train and a number of UNISON members are travelling on that, explains regional manager Dawn Bowden.

And she adds: “Most of the buses are either full or almost full,” – so get in quickly!

Of course, like every other region, this does not include those members travelling to London under their own steam.

Northern region campaigns and development manager Charlie Syme says that there are two UNISON buses travelling to London from Teesside, while “many branches had paid for train tickets for members to attend”.

If you are a UNISON member or branch taking part in one of the marches or organising transport, let us know why – and how it’s going.

Email us at infocus@unison.org.uk to share your story.

UNISON: Worth it pay campaign

UNISON: 18 October

TUC: Britain needs a pay rise

STUC: A just Scotland

ICTU Northern Ireland: A pay rise for all

Touchstone blog: A real earnings decline with no precedent