Press Release
Unite members demonstrate over three years of zero per cent pay offers
11 July 2012
Unite members, in dispute with the Local Government Association's (LGA) decision not to award a pay increase for JNC Youth and Community Workers in the 2012 pay round, will demonstrate in London tomorrow (Thursday 12 July) as the LGA holds its board meeting.
The LGA's decision not to award a pay increase will mean a third consecutive year of a 'non offer' of zero per cent for thousands of workers despite inflation over the same period running above 10 per cent. This is 'another slap in the face' for Unite members as the zero per cent pay offers for the last three years equate to a 10 per cent pay cut in real terms.
The union has asked the LGA to adopt the 'living wage' figure for all UK youth and community workers as some local authorities are already adopting this measure and Unite is seeking its adoption nationally.
Unite national officer for youth and community workers, Mike Robinson, said: “Unite members, who are livid over yet another zero per cent pay offer, will make their feelings clear at the protest tomorrow at the LGA's board meeting. They will be demanding a realistic pay increase and a living wage for youth and community workers.
“The zero per cent pay offer for 2012, on top of zero per cent increases for the previous two years, is a slap in the face for our members and means that youth and community workers pay has been cut by over 10 per cent in real terms.
“These workers provide valuable support through positive engagement with some of the most vulnerable groups in our society and the benefits of youth work are immense to the young people, their communities and to society as a whole.
“Failure by the LGA to adopt a living wage for youth and community workers means that many skilled and professional staff struggle to meet higher food and fuel costs which has also had a significant impact on the recruitment and retention of such a valuable workforce.”
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