Paddy Lillis - Usdaw General Secretary says: “Usdaw members are today meeting with the Low Pay Commission to provide evidence of why we need a new deal for working people that includes a minimum wage of at least £10 per hour and an end to youth rates. The coronavirus pandemic has shown that traditionally low-paid jobs are actually key worker roles, essential to the functioning of the UK economy.
“When we come out of this current crisis we must move on from a situation where low paid workers cannot afford to put food on the table or heat their homes. Despite last month’s increase to National Minimum Wage rates, the rate is still below the Government’s previous target and needs to be increased significantly to tackle in-work poverty.
“Usdaw is also extremely concerned about the pay gap for young workers. For many young workers, being denied the so-called National Living Wage pay rate reinforces the already desperate position that they are experiencing. Usdaw’s evidence clearly shows that lower pay rates and greater insecurity of employment for young workers is a significant factor in the country’s mental health crisis.
“Usdaw has campaigned for years to abolish youth rates. We continue to campaign for a national minimum wage of at least £10 per hour for all ages and call on the Government to tackle insecure employment contracts.”
Usdaw’s New Deal for Workers calls for:
- £10 minimum wage for all workers, ending rip-off youth rates and providing a living wage.
- Minimum contract of 16 hours per week, for everyone who wants it, that reflects normal hours worked and a ban on zero-hour contracts.
- Better sick pay for all workers, from day one, at average earnings.
- Protection at work – respect for shopworkers, abuse is not a part of the job.
- A proper social security system, Universal Credit does not provide a safety net.
- Job security, with day one employment rights for unfair dismissal and redundancy.
- Fair treatment and equality for all workers, including equal pay.
- A voice at work, stop rogue employers refusing to engage with trade unions.
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with almost 400,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. 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
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