Pay freeze must thaw say council workers

Jun 27 2012 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Wednesday

LOCAL government workers across Stirling will be taking part in a day of action today (Wednesday) to mark Fair Pay Day.

They will be calling on Stirling Council to implement the living wage of £7.20 for all staff – a commitment made by both Labour and the SNP prior to the election – and to put an end to the ongoing pay freeze.

Union members, from UNISON, GMB and Unite, will be marking Fair Pay Day by launching a nationwide petition and urging politicians and members of the public to sign up to fair pay for local government workers.

James Douglas, of UNISON's Stirling Branch said: “Local government workers are among the lowest paid in the public sector.

“Teaching assistants, care workers, librarians, school catering staff, refuse collectors, street cleaners – they are all struggling to make ends meet and can no longer afford this continued pay cut.

“Employers need to look at the damage they are inflicting on local government workers and realise that the pay freeze must thaw.”

Dougie Black, UNISON regional organiser, said: “The cost of gas, electricity, fuel and food has risen sharply while local government workers' pay has remained the same. This means workers are worse off now than before – it's not a pay freeze, it's a pay cut.

“The lowest paid are carrying the heaviest burden as they have to spend a higher percentage of their income on heating their homes and feeding their families. But it's not just a matter of fairness, it also makes economic sense as increased wages would boost local economies.

“Local government workers work hard to deliver the services we all rely on and it's time they were recognised for the vital work they do by getting a fair day's pay for a fair day's work.”