Unison: Low wages more important than top pay
Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary, commented on Will Hutton’s report into fair pay:
“The focus on top pay is a missed opportunity. To really boost fairness in the public sector, and our society as a whole, we need to tackle low wages – not just income inequality.
“More than a million public service workers earn less than £7 per hour – many are facing a three year pay freeze. This will make family budgets impossible – many low-paid public service workers already struggle with heavy debt. Meanwhile, bankers are laughing all the way to the bank with their mega-bonus cheques – where is the fairness?
“Hutton’s recommendation that private companies should publish their pay multiples is welcome. To really tackle income inequality and boost fairness, the government must take the blinkers off, and look closely at the private sector. For this to be really effective, private equity firms must also be included. These amount to about a fifth of our economy – and are huge players in the privatisation market.
“Income inequality is rife in the UK – and places a huge burden on our economy and society. The Tories mass-privatisation will only make matters worse. Big companies that buy-up public services will be free to depress wages and drive down terms. The Tories have already sweetened the deal by abolishing the two-tier agreement that gave workers pay protection.
“We know that Tory cuts are hitting low income families hardest – dealing a big blow to fairness. The government’s platitudes on pay fairness should not fool anyone.”
