Redditch Needs A Pay Rise

The shopping trolley is out for fair pay fortnight. Declining wages mean that ordinary people are increasingly finding it difficult to make ends meet. 

People today have told is that they have really felt the squeeze when doing the weekly shop. Redditch Needs A Pay Rise

Our first case Study in Redditch

Our first case study, mum in work, partner with a disability, two young kids, living on benefits until back to work after maternity leave, it's a struggle.

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Redditch needs a Pay Rise!

Our first campaign action is in Redditch, and yes it's raining! So Redditch needs a pay rise even if we are going to get a bit wet. 

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Pay inequality has soared across the East Midlands since 2000, says TUC

Wage inequality has soared across the East Midlands over the last 13 years according to

new TUC analysis published today (Monday) to coincide with the beginning of the TUC’s first Fair Pay Fortnight which runs until Sunday 6 April 2014.

The figures – based on full-time earnings from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) – show that between 2000 (when the data was first collected) and 2013 the pay gap between the top 10 per cent and the bottom 10 per cent of earners in the east midlands rose by 5 per cent. This is similar to the national average rise in the pay gap of five per cent over the same period.

A similar picture emerges in the West Midlands where the gap between those on the 90^th and 10^th percentile of earnings has grown by 7 per cent since 2000.

The TUC analysis reveals that across most of the rest of the country the pay inequality ratio is also rising – up by four per cent between 2000 and 2013 in the North West, three per cent in the East of England, and two per cent in Scotland and the North East. Across London and the South east wage inequality has soared by 14 percent and nine percent respectively.

Only Wales and the South West have seen pay inequality reduce over the last 13 years. However the TUC believes this is more down to top earners not doing as well as in other parts of the UK, rather than those at the bottom getting a better deal.

Comparing the pay gap between the top 90 per cent of earners and those earning a median wage paints a similar picture of rising wage inequality. By this measure inequality has risen by 4.5 per cent across the UK, with the largest rise (8.5 per cent) in London.

The TUC research also reveals how much the top 10 per cent of earners across the UK bring home and how their salaries vary greatly. The highest top earners are in London where they receive £82,000 a year, followed by those in the South East who are on £57,000 and the East of England where they earn about £52,000 per annum.

In contrast, an annual salary of about £48,000 puts workers in the top 10 per cent of earners in the West Midlands and £47,000 makes the top 10 per cent in the East Midlands. This means that top earners across the Midlands command only 60 per cent of what those in London are taking home.

Workers on the bottom 10^th percentile in London will be earning less than £18,000 a year, less than £15,400 in the South East and less than £14,800 per annum in the rest of England, Scotland and Wales.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This new analysis shows how wage inequality has soared in parts of the UK over the last decade. This growing pay gap is bad news for our economy and bad news for living standards.

“The picture is particularly bleak in London and the South East, but in areas like the Midlands, the North West and the East of England a significant gulf has developed between top and bottom earners. Unless this trend stops now and more high-skilled jobs with decent pay are created, this worrying pattern is likely to become even more entrenched.

“Everyone must benefit from the recovery, not just those at the top. The TUC wants to see a greater commitment to pay the living wage from both government and employers, a crackdown on excessive executive pay, and modern wages councils which could set higher minimum wages where employers can afford to pay more.

“During Fair Pay Fortnight we’re asking workers to back our call to MPs to get all political parties to put decent pay at the top of their agendas in the run up to the election.”

PCS Walkout at Ofqual 26th March at 12.30 in support of Sofia Azam

PCS have informed the TUC of further strike action in support of Sofia Azam who has been sacked from Ofqual.  Please do what you can to suport Sofia and her union in this dispute.

No progress in ACAS talks
JOIN the walkout WEDNESDAY 26th MARCH at 12.30pm
Ofqual, Spring Place, Herald Avenue

Management at Ofqual, along with PCS, met ACAS this Wednesday to try and settle the dispute over the sacking of the PCS rep Sofia’s dismissal. Unfortunately, no progress was made.
Reps are not only disappointed, but angry over this outcome, and another half day walkout has been called for this Wednesday.

Background to the dispute
Management at Ofqual, the examinations qualifications regulator have sacked PCS branch chair Sofia Azam. PCS believe that this is a clear case of trade union victimisation and members in her branch have already staged a half day walk out last month.

We are calling on all trade unionists and supporters to Join us at 12.30 outside Ofqual, Spring Place, Herald Avenue, Coventry, CV5 6UB on Wednesday 26th March at 12.30 followed by a short rally at the Standard Triumph.

Please send messages of support and donations to:- PCS, C/O Andrew Lloyd, Regional Secretary, New Oxford House, 16 Waterloo St, Birmingham B2 5UG
Email andrewl@pcs.org.uk or kathyp@pcs.org.uk

Midlands Fair Pay Fortnight Newsletter Special Edition #1

Wage inequality has soared across both the East and West Midlands over the last 13 years according to new TUC analysis published today (Monday) to coincide with the beginning of the TUC’s first Fair Pay Fortnight which runs until Sunday 6 April 2014.

The figures – based on full-time earnings from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) – show that between 2000 (when the data was first collected) and 2013 the pay gap between the top 10 per cent and the bottom 10 per cent of earners in the east midlands rose by 5 per cent – and 7 per cent in the West Midlands.

This new analysis shows how wage inequality has soared in parts of the UK over the last decade. This growing pay gap is bad news for our economy and bad news for living standards.

The picture is particularly bleak in London and the South East, but in areas like the Midlands, the North West and the East of England a significant gulf has developed between top and bottom earners. Unless this trend stops now and more high-skilled jobs with decent pay are created, this worrying pattern is likely to become even more entrenched.

Everyone must benefit from the recovery, not just those at the top. The TUC wants to see a greater commitment to pay the living wage from both government and employers, a crackdown on excessive executive pay, and modern wages councils which could set higher minimum wages where employers can afford to pay more.

During Fair Pay Fortnight we’re asking workers to back our call to MPs to get all political parties to put decent pay at the top of their agendas in the run up to the election.”

The Midlands TUC, unions and trades councils will be hitting the streets to talk to people about our Fair Pay Fortnight campaign, details are listed below. Why not come along and tell us your pay story and how you are having to cope with rising prices for services food and fuel?

Rob Johnston

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary

For the full newsletter click on the link here

Pay inequality has soared across the West Midlands since 2000, says TUC

Wage inequality has soared across the West Midlands over the last 13 years according to new TUC

analysis published today (Monday) to coincide with the beginning of the TUC’s first Fair Pay Fortnight which runs until Sunday 6 April 2014.

The figures – based on full-time earnings from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) – show that between 2000 (when the data was first collected) and 2013 the pay gap between the top 10 per cent and the bottom 10 per cent of earners in the west midlands rose by 7 per cent. This is higher than the national average rise in the pay gap of five per cent over the same period.

A similar picture emerges in the East Midlands where the gap between those on the 90^th and 10^th percentile of earnings has grown by 5 per cent since 2000.

The TUC analysis reveals that across most of the rest of the country the pay inequality ratio is also rising – up by four per cent between 2000 and 2013 in the North West, three per cent in the East of England, and two per cent in Scotland and the North East. Across London and the South east wage inequality has soared by 14 percent and nine percent respectively.

Only Wales and the South West have seen pay inequality reduce over the last 13 years. However the TUC believes this is more down to top earners not doing as well as in other parts of the UK, rather than those at the bottom getting a better deal.

Comparing the pay gap between the top 90 per cent of earners and those earning a median wage paints a similar picture of rising wage inequality. By this measure inequality has risen by 4.5 per cent across the UK, with the largest rise (8.5 per cent) in London.

The TUC research also reveals how much the top 10 per cent of earners across the UK bring home and how their salaries vary greatly. The highest top earners are in London where they receive £82,000 a year, followed by those in the South East who are on £57,000 and the East of England where they earn about £52,000 per annum.

In contrast, an annual salary of about £48,000 puts workers in the top 10 per cent of earners in the West Midlands and £47,000 makes the top 10 per cent in the East Midlands. This means that top earners across the Midlands command only 60 per cent of what those in London are taking home.

Workers on the bottom 10^th percentile in London will be earning less than £18,000 a year, less than £15,400 in the South East and less than £14,800 per annum in the rest of England, Scotland and Wales.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This new analysis shows how wage inequality has soared in parts of the UK over the last decade. This growing pay gap is bad news for our economy and bad news for living standards.

“The picture is particularly bleak in London and the South East, but in areas like the Midlands, the North West and the East of England a significant gulf has developed between top and bottom earners. Unless this trend stops now and more high-skilled jobs with decent pay are created, this worrying pattern is likely to become even more entrenched.

“Everyone must benefit from the recovery, not just those at the top. The TUC wants to see a greater commitment to pay the living wage from both government and employers, a crackdown on excessive executive pay, and modern wages councils which could set higher minimum wages where employers can afford to pay more.

“During Fair Pay Fortnight we’re asking workers to back our call to MPs to get all political parties to put decent pay at the top of their agendas in the run up to the election.”