Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Any reduction in the level of inflation is welcome and we hope that it continues to fall, but prices are still up 14% on a year ago. It’s also important to be aware that underlying these headline statistics are frightening increases in the prices of basics, which hit those on the lowest income hardest. . Food inflation has hit a 45-year high of 16.4%, while energy costs have almost doubled since last winter, from an average of £1,277 to £2,500. That clearly demonstrates the scale of the challenge for workers struggling to make ends meet.
“Usdaw recently conducted a survey of over 7,500 members, mainly key workers: Over three-quarters have struggled to pay an energy bill over the past twelve months; 45% no longer use the heating, and over four-in-ten have cut down on other essentials such as food. Continuing high inflation shows why the low-paid so desperately need a new deal for workers.
“Usdaw is calling for minimum wage rates of at least £12 per hour now for all workers, regardless of age, as a stepping stone towards £15. We also need more secure contracts and improvements in support for the low-paid with better sick pay and a proper social security system.
“Only Labour has promised to deliver a new deal for workers, while the Conservative Government has failed to deliver their promises to ‘build back better’ and improve employment rights. It is clear that only Labour will deliver for our members, so we need a general election now.”
Usdaw’s call for a New Deal for Workers includes:
- Minimum wage of at least £12 per hour immediately, as a step towards £15 for all workers, ending rip-off youth rates.
- 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.
- Proper social security system, Universal Credit does not provide an effective safety net.
- Job security, with day one employment rights for unfair dismissal and significant improvements to redundancy protections.
- Fair treatment and equality for all workers, including equal pay.
- Voice at work, stop rogue employers refusing to engage with trade unions and end ‘fire and rehire’.
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
Labour’s New Deal for Workers: www.usdaw.org.uk/LaboursNDW
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
@UsdawUnion