Regional pay for public sector workers rejected

A Labour-Green motion to Council last night rejected proposals around regional and local pay for public sector workers - see here some of details re campaign and click on read more below to see motion.   

We’ve seen reorganization, restructuring and more in our health services – more is still to come and stress levels are understandably high – these proposals re regional and local pay will only add to this. I was delighted the motion passed. Women will be hit hardest as they make up 65% of public sector workers – women are already facing a disproportionate burden during this recession.

As I noted at the meeting almost two-thirds (65%) of respondents in the poll – carried out for the TUC – think that the government’s proposals for local or regional pay for public servants should be scrapped – in particular they think the proposals are unfair and would be bad for NHS patients and schoolchildren particularly in poorer areas.

This should not become a race to the bottom for wages of people in the poorer areas. We will not solve the vast inequalities that exist in this country by paying poorer people less.

Amazingly I saw yesterday a report about the adult rate of National Minimum Wage (NMW) rising by 1.8% to £6.19 per hour. According to calculations by think tank One Society, if NMW had kept pace since 1999 with rises in top pay, it would already be £18.89 per hour!!

Regional and Local Public Sector Pay – 12/10
Proposed by Councillor Stephen Lydon and seconded by Councillor Molly Cato.
 

“Council notes:

• The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the 2012 Budget the Government’s desire to introduce ‘more market facing’ public sector pay. This could mean regional or local public sector pay.
• There has been no independent assessment of the impact and consequences this policy could have for public services or the economies of low pay regions.
•  The New Economics Foundation believes that regional and local pay could cost the South West economy up to £1.2bn per year and 12,471 jobs.

A number of South West NHS Trusts are using arguments for regional pay to justify exploring reduced pay, terms and conditions for health workers in the South West.
 

Council believes:

• The Government’s case is based on the claim that public sector pay is ‘crowding out’ the private sector. This is not supported by evidence, particularly at a time of high unemployment. There are currently 4 JSA claimants for every job vacancy in Stroud.
• This approach also ignores the real reasons for the differences between public and private sector pay. For instance, there are more high skilled workers in the public sector (such as teachers and nurses), and a smaller pay gap between top and bottom earners and a smaller gender pay gap.
• Public sector employers already have some flexibility to adjust pay in response to local conditions, and higher rates are paid in London and the South East.
• All other English regions and devolved nations stand to be affected by this, with the possibility of years of pay falling behind the cost of living.
• People working full-time in Stroud are paid £39 less per week than the British average.
• 65% of public sector workers are female.

Council further believes:

• Regional or local public sector pay would have a harmful effect on the South West of England.
• It will make it harder for schools and other public services to recruit and retain good quality professionals who could earn more for doing the same job elsewhere.
• There are 10,600 public sector workers in Stroud district and reducing their real terms pay each and every year will dramatically reduce spending power and have a negative impact on the private sector.
• This policy will not improve the pay of private sector workers but instead could encourage further depression of wages in all sectors.
• We do not want to be forever defined as a ‘low pay’ region and this policy is therefore counter to our area’s vision and ambitions for the future.

Council resolves:

• To write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Chief Secretary to the Treasury stating this council’s opposition to plans for regional and localised public sector pay.
• To write to all local MPs outlining concerns about the impact that this policy would have on services and the local economy.
• To sign up to the Pay Fair campaign and raise awareness of the implications and risks of this policy locally, regionally and nationally”.