Responding to a TUC analysis published today (Friday) that found emergency service workers have suffered real pay cuts of up to £3,300 since 2011, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:
“Every year emergency service workers put their lives on hold so the rest of us can enjoy the festive season.
“We know they are there for us should we need them, often doing unimaginably difficult jobs.
“Yet they continue to be paid well below their worth by a government that sees the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
“A decent pay rise this year would be a great Christmas present for selfless staff who ministers have taken for granted for far too long.”
Notes to editors:
- The TUC release Emergency workers earning far less this Christmas than five years ago, finds TUC is available here.
- Sources used by the TUC include: Office for National Statistics, NHS Employers, Office for Manpower Economics/Police Negotiating Board
- The TUC analysis has used the government’s preferred Consumer Price Index measure of inflation, which does not take into account increased housing costs for workers.
Media contacts:
Alan Weaver T: 0207 121 5555 M: 07939 143310 E: a.weaver@unison.co.uk
Joe Lewis T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07970 863 411 E: j.lewis5@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk
