Received from: PCS
Merged into composite 11
Congress congratulates all unions that took part in industrial action over the last two years in response to a continuous policy of pay restraint in the public sector, which has had catastrophic consequences for the living standards of public sector workers.
Congress welcomes the concessions secured but recognises that there is some way to go to restore living standards to where they should be.
Congress notes the findings of the report by Dr Mark Williams, commissioned by PCS, which confirms that civil service wages were 5 per cent above average in the 1970s and 1980s but are now 10 per cent below average; and that pay levels have fallen by an average of 1.5 per cent per year since 2011. Congress agrees that pay restoration in the public sector should be a key feature of our campaigning with the new government.
Congress notes the election of a Labour government on a manifesto committing to economic growth, improving public services, and making work pay. In order to assist in making that a reality, Congress agrees to campaign for:
i. radical improvements to collective bargaining structures and coverage across the economy, particularly in the public sector
ii. national minimum standards across all sectors on pay and terms and conditions
iii. a rise in the national minimum wage that ends in-work poverty
iv. an end to pay discrimination
v. job security agreements
vi. removal of obstacles for trade unions to organise.
Public and Commercial Services Union
AMENDMENT
In bullet point v., add “and urgent measures to address staff shortages, resultant excessive workload and poor wellbeing of staff across the public sector”
Educational Institute of Scotland