Pay Up Now! – a serious campaign and it’s working, NEC hears

People are getting angry, seeing how much they have lost through seven years of the pay cap, UNISON’s national executive council heard at its meeting in London today. And that is because of the campaign being run by the union, general secretary Dave Prentis told the meeting. And he reminded the NEC that the Pay Up Now! campaign has two parts. These include a political campaign, including rallies and demonstrations around the company and pressure on MPs, culminating in the joint union lobby of parliament the day before, with a rally – which Mr Prentis addressed – in the evening. And then there is a an industrial campaign. “It’s a serious campaign and it’s working,” the general secretary said. “We are getting our members more and more to put their heads above the parapet. We are seeking to break a pay policy.” And that, he said, “is an exercise in power. We’ve got to build up pressure and convince members that it is as important to get a pay rise as it is to keep jobs.” Mr Prentis also used his general secretary’s report to remind the NEC of a number of recent wins in local disputes, as well as ones taking place. These included the 20-month Glasgow janitors dispute which won a 6% pay rise for the affected members, and a victory in Salford which saw an 11% increase for social care workers. And just days before the NEC meeting, teaching assistant members in Durham voted to accept an offer from employers – voting Yes by 62% on 57% turn-out – to end a ...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article executive national executive council NEC pay up now Source Type: news