The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is preparing to vote next month on a motion aimed at making “pay restoration” deals a key focus in their campaigns with the Labour government. These deals are intended to provide above-inflation pay increases for public sector workers who have faced a decade of real-term salary reductions. Matt Wrack, TUC president and general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, anticipates that delegates will back the motion, which is supported by the PCS union. This initiative addresses the average 1.5% annual decline in pay levels since 2011.
The push for pay restoration is expected to attract criticism from the Conservative Party, which has accused Labour leader Keir Starmer of being swayed by “union paymasters” due to recent pay agreements resolving long-standing disputes with junior doctors and train drivers. The government has proposed a 22% pay increase over two years for junior doctors, who initially sought a 35% rise to offset their declining real wages over the past 15 years. The British Medical Association is conducting a member ballot on this deal until mid-September.
In another development, the government recently offered a deal to the Aslef train drivers’ union to resolve two years of rail disruptions, which includes a nearly 15% pay rise over three years, backdated and pensionable, with no changes to terms and conditions. Despite this, Aslef has announced plans for 22 days of weekend strikes from late August to November on LNER trains on the state-run east coast mainline, clarifying that the strikes are unrelated to the Labour pay deal.
The industrial action is not limited to the rail sector; nearly half of GP surgeries in England are also striking for the first time in 60 years. Doctors are protesting against the previous government’s budget increase of only 1.9%, while Labour has promised to raise funding for 2024-25 to 6%. As the TUC approaches the vote on the pay restoration motion, the public sector continues to face significant challenges and disputes regarding fair compensation, with the outcomes of these negotiations poised to have substantial implications for both workers and the government.
Post Disclaimer
The following content has been published by Stockmark.IT. All information utilised in the creation of this communication has been gathered from publicly available sources that we consider reliable. Nevertheless, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this communication.
This communication is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as an offer, recommendation, solicitation, inducement, or invitation by or on behalf of the Company or any affiliates to engage in any investment activities. The opinions and views expressed by the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Company, its affiliates, or any other third party.
The services and products mentioned in this communication may not be suitable for all recipients, by continuing to read this website and its content you agree to the terms of this disclaimer.