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Over 10,000 workers cannot be wrong - Usdaw says it's 'Time for Better Pay'

Date: 09 September 2018 Shopworkers’ trade union leader Paddy Lillis launches the ‘Time for Better Pay’ campaign at the TUC Congress. A survey of over 10,000 workers has laid bare the issues that working people are facing as a result of low pay, short and zero hours contracts and insecure work:
  • 92% have seen no improvement in their financial situation over the past five years – of these, 63% say they are worse off
  • 76% of low-paid workers have had to rely on unsecured borrowing to pay everyday bills in the last 12 months.
  • 63% say that financial worries were having an impact on their mental health.
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.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Low paid and insecure work is a growing problem and a scourge on society; that is holding back economic growth and affecting the well-being of the workforce. There is a clear need for significant labour market changes to ensure that the economy delivers for working people.

“Usdaw has surveyed over 10,000 people working in retail and related sectors, about the issues they face as a result of low pay, short-hours contracts and insecure work. We have now brought together the findings from this survey, which clearly demonstrate that poor employment practices are at the heart of the problem.

“Low pay is one of the biggest issues facing workers in the UK. The cost of living is rising sharply but wages are stagnating for the lowest paid. As inflation continues to outstrip average earnings, low paid workers and their families are under pressure to make ends meet. With many forced to claim in-work benefits and take second jobs, it’s clear that the Government’s so-called ‘National Living Wage’ is not a wage that people can live on. So our demand for a £10 an hour minimum is fair and reasonable.

“While statistics show unemployment is falling, this masks the reality of underemployment for many working people. An increasing number of job roles are offered on zero and short-hour contracts leaving workers struggling to get the hours they need. Although there tends to be a focus on zero hours contracts, short-hours contracts can be just as exploitative. 1 in 4 of the workers we surveyed are contracted for just 16 hours or less per week. Many workers are regularly working extra hours that aren’t guaranteed in their contracts, leaving them extremely vulnerable. Our findings make clear that this is causing severe mental health issues for working people. Our demands for proper contracts will help make jobs secure, ensure that work delivers a route out of poverty and help to tackle the UK’s mental health crisis.

“Workers should be valued by their employer and that means they are in secure jobs that pay a wage they can live on. Our campaign seeks to reverse the long-term decline in workers’ pay and conditions, leading to a fairer and more equitable society for all.”

Quotes from the survey

“Even when my pay goes up, I’m still worse off. Rent and bills just keep getting more expensive. It’s just impossible to pay for everything on the wage we get. I’ve borrowed from family, but they’re struggling too, and I can’t afford to pay them back.” Warehouse worker, London area.

“There’s not many jobs available in my area. I’ve been looking for permanent hours for over a year, but every time I ask I’m told there’s nothing available. Then I see adverts go out for more part-time roles. I’m worried about asking again.” Checkout operator, Scotland

“Members in my workplace come to me because they want to increase their hours but most of the time flexibility only seems to work one way. Managers are so reluctant to increase anyone’s contracted hours, but are always asking people to work extra hours when it suits them.” Usdaw rep, large retail store, North West.

Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 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.

You can view the findings from this survey online.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion

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