Unite brief – Tony Woodley Budget reaction
Tony Woodley, Unite the union joint general secretary, said the Chancellor had gone some way to tackling the issues of fuel poverty but he had missed an opportunity to levy a windfall tax on the excess energy company profits.
“Of course we welcome the extra money for winter fuel allowances and the help for those on pre-paid meters but he could have gone further,” said Mr. Woodley. “Those price hikes are going to go through from those private companies alongside their multi-billion profits.”
Mr. Woodley also expressed his disappointment that with the forecasts for economic growth and low inflation there was nothing in the Budget to indicate a relaxation on the artificially low public sector pay limits.
“In the week that our low paid but high skilled defence workers have put in their claim for pay justice, we were listening for some positive news on public sector pay,” he said. “There was none but we’ll press the case for decent pay for public sector workers who contribute so much.”
ENDS
Andrew Dodgshon
Unite Press Office
020 7611 2550
07976 832156
andrew.dodgshon@unitetheunion.com
Demand equal rights for agency workers
British employment law fails to protect the country’s 1.4 million agency workers. The Temporary and Agency Workers bill would outlaw discrimination against agency workers and is backed by Unite, other unions and the TUC. On 22nd February, 157 MPs backed the bill, a momentous vote to end undercutting and abuse. But with government yet to back the bill, the fight for workplace justice has not yet been won. Keep pledging your support. Find out more on how you can get involved in the campaign.
If you want to know more about the T&G, visit us at www.tgwu.org.uk or contact our head office on 0207 611 2500.
-01.png){kind=spacer}