In the campaign for equal pay , UNISON stands firmly on the frontline
UNISON
© pixelfit via Getty Images
In the campaign for equal pay , UNISON stands firmly on the frontline
The pursuit of equal pay is part of UNISON ’ s daily battle against deeply entrenched biases and systemic inequalities . We ’ re driven by our commitment to break free of stereotypes that undervalue workers . And we are unrivalled in our successes .
You only have to look at the Glasgow equal pay victory – where UNISON members won a £ 500 million settlement after taking strike action – to understand our strength .
We ’ ve won the most equal pay cases , we ’ ve won the most money for members , and we don ’ t take a cut from the payouts .
It ’ s a fundamental issue of fairness that every worker deserves equal pay for work of equal value . However , despite years of progress , many workers – and particularly those in low-paid jobs – continue to face a persistent and unjust pay gap .
The public service workers we represent are the backbone of our communities , providing support for everyone day in , day out . But they
often find themselves on the wrong side of the pay scale , struggling to make ends meet and facing the harsh realities of income inequality .
Christina McAnea is clear that things need to change , stating : ‘ As the first female leader of UNISON , the UK ’ s largest trade union , with over one million women members , I ’ m compelled by the urgency of closing these unequal pay gaps .
‘ Not just for women public service workers , but for Black , LGBT + and disabled workers , who face workplace discrimination that too often results in their work being undervalued .
‘ UNISON works tirelessly across public services to negotiate fair wages , challenge discriminatory practices , raise awareness about the importance of equal pay and take legal action where needed .
‘ But to achieve wage equality across the whole of our society , and to permanently close pay gaps , we need systemic change .’
That means legislation that doesn ’ t let employers off the hook , workplace policies
58 OTnews October 2023