COVID-19, Economic Policy, U.K.
Brexit will wreak havoc on workers in Ireland and UK say EPSU affiliates
During a day filled with suspense regarding the imminent triggering of Article 50 by the UK Government, which will mark the start of formal Brexit negotiations, which will end with the UK leaving the European Union, Irish and UK unions met to address the likely impact of this unprecedented decision.
EPSU Executive Committee – supports Climate strike, discusses Congress, EP elections and recent EU policy
Several unions are supporting the #youthforclimate actions which are taking place across Europe. The urgency is felt and far more needs to be done to prevent global warming spiraling out of control.
Brexit deal of European Commission and UK’s government not good for working people say trade unions
As the text of the agreement of the European Union and the UK has become available, it is clear that this UK Conservative government has no ambition to seek a long-term alignment with EU workers’ rights.
Europe's unions defending social rights – workers and people first when dealing with Brexit
(13 January 2017) The result of the negotiations between the European Union and the UK will impact on people first and foremost. Workers, students, researchers, civil servants, families could be
Unions join in international call to support culture workers
Three trade unions (CGT, FP-CGIL and PCS) representing workers in cultural services in France, Italy and the UK have come together to highlight the urgent need for action to support the sector and tackle poor pay and employment conditions. They argue that the sector has been particularly hard hit by measures to tackle the pandemic and these have been intensified because of the extent of outsourcing and precarious employment. The unions are calling for a strengthening of public culture services, decent and secure employment conditions and action to stop privatisation and outsourcing. CGT (EN
Health unions make joint call for pay rise before xmas
Fourteen trade unions representing staff across the National Health Service have sent a joint letter to the prime minister calling on the government to give all health workers a pay increase before Christmas. The next pay increase was not due until April 2021, but the unions argue that an early increase would help employees “feel valued, by the entire country, and the government too”. They also state in the letter that raising pay this year could persuade staff looking to leave the NHS to change their minds. An early wage boost could also “prove attractive to thousands of much-needed potential
Trade unions angry about pay freeze
Public service trade unions have reacted angrily over the government decision to freeze pay for millions of public sector workers, including municipal employees, care workers, civil servants and teachers. Health workers are excluded from the “pay pause” as the chancellor (finance minister) calls it and there will be a GBP 250 (EUR 278) increase for workers paid less than GBP 24000 (EUR 26730) a year. The unions have attacked the decision as a “divide and rule” tactic and argue that many public service workers have yet to see their pay levels recover in real terms after the last bout of
Unions call for higher pay rise for local government workers
The UNISON, Unite and GMB public service unions have called on the government to increase funding for local government to cover a higher pay rise for council workers in England and Wales. The unions are pushing for a 10% pay rise to begin to address the 20% fall in pay in real terms in recent years but employers have so far offered only 2.7% for 2020-21. The unions argue that it is important to recognise the role that many of these workers have played during the current crisis.
Care workers to get £500 bonus
The Welsh government has said that all care workers will get a £500 (EUR 570) bonus in recognition of the work they have been doing during the COVID-19 crisis. Trade unions have welcomed the payment which will go to all carers whether employed by local authorities, non-profit providers or private companies. Meanwhile, local government employers have said that a 2.75% pay rise is their final offer but that they will approach central government for more funding for next year. The largest local government union, UNISON, wants a joint approach to central government and will only consult members on
Health unions ensure workers get full overtime pay
Fifteen health trade unions, including six EPSU affiliates, have come together to agree a proposal that will help ensure that all health workers in England are properly compensated for the overtime they work. Measures to ensure proper payment for every hour worked for all NHS staff – including those on higher grades not usually able to claim overtime – is contained in a nine-point blueprint that should be applied at local level. The unions see this as important in guaranteeing that workers are properly rewarded for their extra efforts in responding to the pandemic in advance of the main
Union campaigns for full pay for carers who are sick
The UNISON public services union has written to the health minister and launched a campaign calling for full pay for carers who are sick or have to self-isolate in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 in care homes or among those receiving home care. The vast majority of carers are low-paid and get basic sick pay of only £95 a week (EUR 105) which makes it impossible to provide for a family and puts pressure on the carer to stay at work. UNISON has welcomed £600 million (EUR 665m) of extra funding for the sector but is concerned this will end up in the coffers of private care companies with no
Health unions come together to call for early pay settlement
Fourteen trade unions that organise workers right across the National Health Service have sent joint letters to the prime minister and chancellor (finance minister) calling for quick action to agree a pay rise for all health workers. The unions argue that the public want to see health workers properly valued and rewarded and that a decent pay rise would be a step in the right direction. The unions don't want a simple COVID-19 bonus but a pay rise that will help retain and recruit staff and address the falling purchasing power of health workers who have seen pay frozen or capped below inflation
Unions call for pay rises for health workers
Public services union UNISON has called for a £2000 a year pay rise for all health workers in recognition of their continuing work and commitment in the fight against COVID-19. The union underlines the importance of giving health workers a boost before the end of the year particularly as the virus is in resurgence. The RCN nursing union has called for a 12.5% increase for nursing staff in an important step to help address the staffing crisis, in recognition of their skills and to compensate for cost of living increases. The GMB general union, meanwhile, is calling for a 15% pay increase again