This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/thousands-march-for-better-pay-as-unions-demonstrate-across-britain-9803431.html
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Pay protests: Thousands march for better wages as unions demonstrate across Britain | Pay protests: Thousands march for better wages as unions demonstrate across Britain |
(3 days later) | |
Tens of thousands of public sector workers and their supporters are marching in cities across the UK to demand better pay. | Tens of thousands of public sector workers and their supporters are marching in cities across the UK to demand better pay. |
The “Britain needs a Pay Rise” marches, organised by the TUC, are underway in London, Glasgow and Belfast in protest at the Government’s offer of a 1 per cent pay rise. | The “Britain needs a Pay Rise” marches, organised by the TUC, are underway in London, Glasgow and Belfast in protest at the Government’s offer of a 1 per cent pay rise. |
Unions say that ordinary people are now facing the biggest squeeze on their incomes since the Victorian period. Average wages have fallen by £50 a week in real terms, while directors now earn 175 times more than the average worker. | Unions say that ordinary people are now facing the biggest squeeze on their incomes since the Victorian period. Average wages have fallen by £50 a week in real terms, while directors now earn 175 times more than the average worker. |
Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary who has been tweeting to her supporters, said: “Our message is that after the longest and deepest pay squeeze in recorded history, it’s time to end the lock-out that has kept the vast majority from sharing in the economic recovery. | Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary who has been tweeting to her supporters, said: “Our message is that after the longest and deepest pay squeeze in recorded history, it’s time to end the lock-out that has kept the vast majority from sharing in the economic recovery. |
We're off! Today #18oct we're saying no to low pay Britain & sending a clear message to everyone: Britain Needs A Pay Rise. Are u marching? | We're off! Today #18oct we're saying no to low pay Britain & sending a clear message to everyone: Britain Needs A Pay Rise. Are u marching? |
“An economy that finds money for tax cuts for the rich and boardroom greed, while the rest face a pay squeeze and big cuts to the welfare system –that any of us might need – is no longer working for the many.” | “An economy that finds money for tax cuts for the rich and boardroom greed, while the rest face a pay squeeze and big cuts to the welfare system –that any of us might need – is no longer working for the many.” |
Organisers hope that the public's discontentment at the growing gap between rich and poor will encourage those not affected by the Government’s pay offer to join the marches. | Organisers hope that the public's discontentment at the growing gap between rich and poor will encourage those not affected by the Government’s pay offer to join the marches. |
In London, demonstrators are marching from Embankment, before gathering at Hyde Park to listen to speakers including comedians Andy Parsons and Amy Lamé. | In London, demonstrators are marching from Embankment, before gathering at Hyde Park to listen to speakers including comedians Andy Parsons and Amy Lamé. |
Russell Brand has been spotted among the protesters and actor Robert Lindsay has tweeted his support to the demonstrators. | Russell Brand has been spotted among the protesters and actor Robert Lindsay has tweeted his support to the demonstrators. |
Love this city and so proud of this country.#powertothepeople pic.twitter.com/FkdsJTe5Os | Love this city and so proud of this country.#powertothepeople pic.twitter.com/FkdsJTe5Os |
One of Britain’s largest general unions, GMB, is participating in all the marches. Its general secretary, Paul Kenny, said: “Members have faced imposed pay freezes, or derisory pay offers which do not bring earnings up to the levels that were lost during this long running recession. | One of Britain’s largest general unions, GMB, is participating in all the marches. Its general secretary, Paul Kenny, said: “Members have faced imposed pay freezes, or derisory pay offers which do not bring earnings up to the levels that were lost during this long running recession. |
Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC | Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the TUC |
“Wealth and income inequality in the UK is now once again at pre WW1 levels. The divide in society has never been wider and we are seeing a return to the days of the workhouse with food banks becoming the soup kitchen.” | “Wealth and income inequality in the UK is now once again at pre WW1 levels. The divide in society has never been wider and we are seeing a return to the days of the workhouse with food banks becoming the soup kitchen.” |
The Government has said that without the modest pay increases for public sector workers jobs and services would be at risk. | The Government has said that without the modest pay increases for public sector workers jobs and services would be at risk. |