• News & events
• Archived news releases
• 2009 archived press releases
• Unite and CSEU's reaction to jobs cuts and BAE System's Insyte operation
• Unite members demonstrate against Plymouth City Council’s proposal to sell CityBus
• London bus drivers step up strike against basement level wages
• Superdrug workers claim major victory following two-week strike action
• Promotion of ‘choice’ undermines charities’ services
• Unite's reaction to the government's proposed public sector pay cap
• Unite to fight cuts at Sefton council
• ‘National service’ community scheme should not become ‘cheap labour’
• Tax the bankers and close the loopholes says Unite
• 'Hire and fire' disposable labour force is Gatwick's shame, says Unite

Unite's reaction to the government's proposed public sector pay cap

9th December 2009

Responding to the government's proposed public sector pay cap Unite's assistant general secretary for the public sector, Gail Cartmail, said: "We know the Treasury and Number 10 are targeting high earners in the public sector but we urgently need to talk to the Treasury about an across the board pay cap. A pay cap would hit the lowest paid hardest.  One per cent  for the lower paid is a pittance, but the highest earners would get significantly more cash.

"The proposed cap also compromises the independent pay review bodies which were set up to take the politics out of public sector pay. Labour's implementation of the review bodies has been a success and to ride roughshod over them is a step in the wrong direction.

"On the proposed changes to public sector pensions Unite is seeking clarification, as NHS workers, teachers and civil servants recently agreed to wide ranging changes to pension schemes that include caps and cost sharing, as well as higher employee contributions.

"We know that the Tories' plans for our public services are far worse than Labour's. The Tories will slash our public sector and we could see up to a million job cuts. This is precisely why Labour must make a stand for our public sector workers and make the wealthy pay their fair share rather than place the burden on low paid public servants."

ENDS