Brighton & Hove Local Government Unison branch has prepared a leaflet to explain to the public why we are going on strike and why we hope they will suppport us:
Dear Colleagues, Friends and Family
We would like to explain why we are taking strike action next Wednesday 10th July.
Like many of you working in the private sector, since the government used taxpayers money to bail out the banks in 2009, we have years of pay freezes, cuts to pensions and job losses. Now we’re taking action because we think enough is enough!
But aren’t public sector workers a privileged elite?
No. Apart from senior management, most public sector workers earn less than the average wage and many rely on tax credits to help us live. Our pay claim for a rise of at least £1 per hour would still only take nearly half a million of us up to the “Living Wage” of £7.65/hour.
But why should taxpayers have to fork out extra for the public sector?
We don’t think ordinary taxpayers, ourselves included, should pay more. Those of us working for councils have found out that our bosses have put $19Billlion in the bank in recent years. We also have watched PFI projects for new schools, hospitals and libraries. Once the companies have been paid their building costs they are set to rake in up to £750Billion extra in charges to taxpayers. And those of us working collecting taxes have been made to stand back and watch an estimates £120Billion a year go uncollected due to fraud, evasion and avoidance by those rich enough to afford accountants and offshore accounts.
There is enough money in this country to give us all a decent pay rise and end austerity.
OK. But what’s your strike got to do with us? Most of us aren’t even in unions.
As well as being the people who empty your bins, clean your schools, teach your children and care for your relatives in need, we are your neighbours, your friends and members of your family. You will benefit if we get the pay rise we deserve – you won’t if that money continues to be hoarded by the top 1% who got us, the 99%, in this financial crisis.
Also, when one group of workers stands up to their bosses and win, it makes other employers more wary of attacking their staff’s pay or conditions. We believe in old fashioned values like solidarity, and if any of you want help at work with pay, conditions or bullying, contact us.
So what can we do to help?
On 10th July, stop and talk to us as you pass our picket lines, or TOOT your car horn to show support. You can also join our rally at noon on the Level. You can donate to our striker’s hardship fund via the addresses below. You can write to newspapers and MPs, and share our union’s message on facebook.
-
Recent Posts
- Voting for the new Unison General Secretary Closes on 27th November
- RESULTS OF 2020/21 NJC PAY CONSULTATION
- Sue Beatty Branch Secretary Retirement Statement
- HAVE YOUR SAY ON PAY! – Deadline 10 August
- Latest School Update on wider school re-opening from our schools conveners. For all BHCC Schools and Nursery Staff (11 June 2020)
Archives
- November 2020
- August 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- November 2019
- October 2019
- June 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- May 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
Meta