Thousands march in Edinburgh to demand: Pay Up Now!

Edinburgh echoed to the demand “Pay Up Now!” at the weekend, as more than 5,000 public service workers marched through the Scottish capital. The march and rally was organised by UNISON as part of the union’s Pay Up Now! campaign, which is keeping pressure on both the Scottish and Westminster governments to end the pay cap and give all workers a decent pay rise. Workers providing pubic services have seen their pay held back across the UK for almost a decade. Public sector pay rose by just 4.4% between 2010 and 2016, while the cost of living rose by 22%. The Scottish government has said it is scrapping the pay cap a move welcomed by UNISON Scotland convenor Lilian Macer. But she also warned: “There is still much more to do. “Public sector workers play a vital role in our communities,” she told the rally, “looking after us by keeping us safe, healthy, educated, and cared for. “We can’t accept the end of a 1% pay cap to just implement another pay cap. Public sector workers need pay rises at least in line with inflation and recognition of the pay they have lost for the last decade.” Scottish health worker and UNISON senior vice president Gordon McKay told the union members who marched: “Your families are proud of you. Your communities are proud of you. And your union is so, so proud of you. “But I need to be honest: not everybody does value you, not everybody does respect you. “Some people want to drive you into poverty and drive you out of the public sec...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News campaign dave prentis demonstration pay pay up now Scotland Source Type: news