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  4. PSI stands with British workers' demands for a pay rise

PSI stands with British workers' demands for a pay rise

18 October 2014
Under the slogan "Britain Needs a Pay Rise", tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the UK on Saturday 18th October calling for pay increases for public sector workers after years of wage freezes and salary caps. Rallies took place in London, Glasgow and Belfast, with nurses, civil servants and teachers marching alongside other public and private sector workers, families, pensioners and activists.

In the UK, the average public sector worker is £50 a week worse off than in 2007 and five million earn less than the living wage, said Trade Union Congress (TUC) General Secretary Frances O'Grady.

On 13 October, National Health Service (NHS) workers went on strike for the first time in 32 years over pay, demanding a 1% increase.

“Workers sent a clear message to the government that denying the majority of health staff a pay rise is simply unacceptable,” said Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary and PSI President.

“Our members didn't cause this recession, our members didn't cause the failures of the banks,” he said at Saturday's demonstration in London.

PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli joined the march in solidarity with British workers.

“We keep hearing that the economy is growing, but we see that inequality and injustice have reached unbearable levels, while those who created the crisis are getting richer and richer,” she said. “All this is simply unacceptable. Britain needs more justice and UK workers need a pay rise."

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