UNISON delivers pay petition to Downing Street

Today UNISON members joined the union’s general secretary Christina McAnea to deliver a petition signed by 182,290 people, demanding the government ends the pay crisis by raising the minimum wage to £15 an hour. Gathering on the steps of Downing Street at 6pm, five UNISON members delivered the petition on behalf of the union. The text read: “When pay rises by less than our bills, we’re all getting poorer. But rising prices don’t have to push people into poverty. It’s the government’s choice. To end the pay crisis, we need pay rises. “End the pay crisis. Raise the minimum wage to £15 an hour and give public sector workers inflation-busting pay rises.” Amongst those handing in the petition was UNISON member Eddie Brand, who has worked in the ambulance service for over 35 years. He said: “The pressure on ambulance services is unprecedented, and something needs to change. We can’t carry on working under this level of demand.” Last week, two UNISON members featured in a moving ITV news segment on the strain that ambulance waiting times are putting on workers. Mr Brand continued: “I haven’t had a decent pay rise for more than 10 years, but the cost of living crisis means that the basics have now become unaffordable. Bills are going up, which means we’re left with no time or money for anything. The fact that mortgages are now rising will push many over the edge.” In reference to the ongoing strike ballot for health workers, Mr Brand said: “...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News cost of living Source Type: news