Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “John McDonnell has rightly identified that the balance of power at work has been tipped against the worker. This has resulted in low productivity, low pay and insecure work. Usdaw’s survey of over 10,500 workers shows that too many are struggling to make ends meet.
“So we welcome Labour’s commitment to redress the balance of power at work: Workers having trade union rights from day one whether in full time, part time or temporary work; tackling insecure contracts; a real living wage of £10 an hour, and tackle the continuing scandal of the gender pay gap.
“It is time for better pay and it is clear that only Labour will deliver for our members and all working people.”
Usdaw’s ‘Time for Better Pay’ campaign tackles the causes of in-work poverty and seeks to develop an economy where work pays. Using the evidence gathered through our extensive research, the campaign is calling for four key actions:
- £10 per hour minimum wage for all workers over 18.
- Minimum contract of 16 hours per week for all employees who want it
- The right to a contract based on an individual’s normal hours of work
- An end to the misuse of zero hour contracts.
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with around 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
@UsdawUnion