The Retail Prices Index (RPI) rate dipped slightly to 13.5% and has now been in double-digits for a year. Against predictions to the contrary, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) also remained in double figures at 10.1%.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “The Government’s failure to address the crisis in workers’ pay and employment rights is making the ongoing cost of living crisis much worse. Skyrocketing prices, particularly on food items, leave too many workers struggling to make ends meet. We need a new deal for workers that boosts wages to meet the growing cost of living, along with an end to insecure employment.
“Beneath the headline statistics are frightening increases in the prices of basics, which hit those on the lowest incomes hardest. Food and non-alcoholic drink inflation is at a 45-year high of 19.1%. Many staple items like milk, eggs and frozen vegetables are rising at more than treble the headline rate of inflation. That clearly demonstrates the scale of the challenge for workers struggling to make ends meet.
“Short-term support with current cost of living pressures is not enough and the Government needs to deliver lasting solutions with a new deal for workers. A new deal that makes work pay with an immediate increase in the minimum wage to at least £12 per hour for all workers, regardless of age, as a step towards £15. Alongside this, we need an end to insecurity and one-sided flexibility, through contracts that reflect normal hours of work.
“The Government is not offering the change our members need. Labour is pledged to deliver a new deal for workers within 100 days of coming into government. Usdaw will continue to mobilise for a general election because only Labour has the policies and ideas that can put the country back on track.”
Usdaw’s call for a New Deal for Workers includes:
- Minimum wage of at least £12 per hour immediately, as a step towards £15 for all workers, ending rip-off youth rates.
- Minimum contract of 16 hours per week, for everyone who wants it, that reflects normal hours worked and a ban on zero-hour contracts.
- Better sick pay for all workers, from day one, at average earnings.
- Protection at work, respect for shopworkers, abuse is not a part of the job.
- Proper social security system, Universal Credit does not provide an effective safety net.
- Job security, with day one employment rights for unfair dismissal and significant improvements to redundancy protections.
- Fair treatment and equality for all workers, including equal pay.
- Voice at work, stop rogue employers refusing to engage with trade unions and end ‘fire and rehire’.
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 350,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
Labour’s New Deal for Workers: www.usdaw.org.uk/LaboursNDW
For further information please contact Usdaw’s Media Officer, David Williams on: 0161 249 2469, 07798 696 603 or by e-mail to [email protected]
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion