Get in touch Get in touch
Join Usdaw

View All Member support

All your questions answered

Help and advice

Join Usdaw today

A New Deal For Workers

Jump to:

About the campaign

Our members need a new deal for workers. The cost-of-living crisis has hit working people hard. Across the country, millions have seen their living standards squeezed and their families suffer as wages have failed to keep up with soaring bills and sky-rocketing costs.

At the heart of the cost-of-living crisis is a crisis of employment rights.

Usdaw's 'New Deal for Workers' Campaign emerged in 2020, in response to the incredible work of our members during the pandemic.

The pandemic demonstrated the critical role that many low-paid workers play in our economy and society and exposed the deep unfairness and inequalities at the heart of the labour market.

With more than three in four workers unable to afford to take time off work when ill and 15% having to turn to food banks, we know that workers need a new deal which includes an increase in wages to the real living wage and a guaranteed number of working hours.

Social media

Use our campaign branding below to support the campaign:

What we've achieved so far

Since April 2024, the National Living Wage has been increased for anyone aged 21 and up. This is a step in the right direction; however, we believe the NLW should be available for ages 18 and above. We also believe wages should come in line with the ‘Real Living Wage’, which is set out by the Real Living Wage Foundation. 

As of April 2025, the NLW is set to be increased above £12 for the first time. Usdaw have been campaigning for this as a step towards £15. 

Statutory sick pay has also increased by 6.7%, meaning workers will be able to earn £116.75 per week whilst off sick. There still needs to be changes with payment not received for the first three days off illness and employees needing to earn at least £123 per week to claim it.

Key campaign actions

Because of a lack of decent employment rights, low-paid workers are particularly vulnerable to having their hours, wages or terms and conditions cut and susceptible to short-term economic downturns and headwinds.

Usdaw is clear that workers must be given greater rights and protection and the pay they deserve, through a new deal for workers.

Usdaw is calling for a £15 minimum wage for all workers, and an end to the rip-off youth rates.

A minimum contract of 16 hours for everyone who wants it and an end to zero hours contracts are also on our agenda.

Better sick pay which allows workers to feel that they can call in sick when they need, rather than forcing themselves into work, is also in our plan, as well as several other policies.

Labour's 'New Deal for Working People'

The new Labour Government have already pledged their 'New deal for working people', and are set to introduce legislation in Parliament within 100 days of entering government.

A New Deal For Workers

"After years of Tory chaos and attacks on workers’ rights, Labour’s plan to make work pay includes transformative policies to turn the minimum wage into a genuine living wage, remove discriminatory age bands and deliver new rights to make work more secure."

 

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary

13 June 2024

Publications

Labour's New Deal For Working People

25 April 2024

PDF

Organising For a New Deal

26 April 2023

PDF

Cost of Living Survey Results 2023

25 April 2024

PDF