PEOPLE Before Profit representative Councillor Shaun Harkin said has said council workers deserve pay justice and urged workers to vote agains the government’s ‘pathetic pay cut’
Said Cllr Harkin: “Council workers have every right to demand and expect a real pay rise. With inflation at 3.8% and rising, the present government offer of 1.75% is a pay cut.
We fully support the trade union campaign to reject this pathetic offer and encourage all workers to vote no in respective consultative ballots taking place through early October.
“Council workers have suffered a 25% cut in the value of their wages since 2010. This is a scandal and shows the disregard with which they’re treated despite the essential work they do.
“Like our health workers, Council workers remained on the frontline ensuring vital services were maintained throughout the pandemic.
“Government always appears able to find money when corporations and the super rich make a demand. It’s the opposite when it comes to those with less clout.
“But the question must be asked – who have we been more reliant on during the pandemic? Essential workers is the obvious answer.”
He said that there was no doubt the wealth in our society exists for real pay rises but it’s not a government priority.
People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin
“Derry and Strabane Council previously backed a People Before Profit motion to support a pay rise for Council workers of at least 10%.
“The Council also committed to supporting Council workers if they are forced to take action for pay justice.
We encourage all Council workers to stay strong and to prepare for action, if necessary, to win the pay rise they deserve.”
Full PBP motion supported by DCSDC March 2021 full meeting:
Council workers deserve 10%+ Pay Rise
Council notes:
Over the last year, councils have led the way in efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a huge range of services and support for our communities. Local government has shown more than ever how indispensable it is. But the pandemic has led to a massive increase in expenditure and loss of income, and the Government has failed to provide the full amount of promised support. Local government workers have kept our communities safe through the pandemic, often putting themselves at considerable risk as they work to protect public health and ensure our children continue to be educated. Since 2010, the local government workforce has endured years of pay restraint with the majority of pay points losing at least 23 per cent of their value since 2009/10. At the same time, workers have experienced ever-increasing workloads and persistent job insecurity. Local government has arguably been hit by more severe job losses than any other part of the public sector. The funding gap caused by Covid-19 will make local government employment even more precarious. There has been a disproportionate impact on women, with women making up more than three-quarters of the local government workforce. Recent research shows that if the Government were to fully fund the unions’ 2021 pay claim, around half of the money would be recouped thanks to increased tax revenue, reduced expenditure on benefits, and increased consumer spending in the local economy.
Council believes:
Our workers are public service super-heroes. They keep our communities clean and safe, look after those in need and keep our towns and cities running. Without the professionalism and dedication of our staff, the council services our residents rely on would not be deliverable. Local government workers deserve a proper real-terms pay increase. The Government needs to take responsibility and fully fund this increase; it should not put the burden on local authorities whose funding been cut to the bone and who have not been offered adequate support through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Council resolves to:
Support the pay claim submitted by UNISON, GMB and Unite with NIPSA support on behalf of council and school workers, for a substantial increase with a minimum 10 per cent uplift in April 2021. Call on the Local Government Association to make urgent representations to central government to fund the NJC pay claim. Write to the Chancellor and Secretary of State to call for a pay increase for local government workers to be funded with new money from central government. Meet with local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim and consider practical ways in which the council can support the campaign. Encourage all local government workers to join a union.
Tags: