Commenting on polling published today (Friday) by Citizens UK showing public support for a pay rise for care workers, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“It’s clear there’s overwhelming public support for a pay rise for care staff.
“These workers do a skilled job looking after the elderly and disabled people. But many struggle on poverty wages despite their dedication during the pandemic.
“It’s time the government showed they valued care employees by ending poverty wages. Every worker should be on the real living wage as a bare minimum. This would help improve care and attract much-needed new recruits.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
– The union is a member of the Future Social Care Coalition. This new cross-party alliance of more than 80 organisations and individuals is calling for an immediate £3.9bn* emergency support fund for the care sector and a fair wage deal for low-paid staff. Members include former ministers Andy Burnham, Sir Norman Lamb and Alistair Burt as well as the National Care Association, the Care and Support Alliance – which includes Age UK, Carers UK and Alzheimer’s Society – and UNISON. The co-chairs are Christina McAnea and Phil Hope.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk