Responding to the announcement today (Monday) that the real living wage is to increase nationally to £9 an hour and to £10.55 in London, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:
“The vast majority of local authority and NHS staff are now getting the living wage. This is thanks to pay agreements that UNISON has negotiated on their behalf.
“But staff employed by contractors are increasingly being left behind, including many care workers.
“Many are struggling on poverty pay despite the overwhelming pressures they’re facing. It’s time the government committed the funding so all staff get a wage they can survive on.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON’s Pay up Now for the Whole NHS Team calls for all staff employed by companies contracted to do NHS work to get the same pay rates as their equivalent directly employed colleagues.
– The union is also calling for the real living wage to be enshrined in local government pay.
Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Sophie Goodchild T: 0207 121 5546 M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk