Public sector pay

Brendan Barber leading the call for fair public sector pay

Monday, 08, Sep 2008 12:00

As the TUC's four-day conference gets underway, attention is focused on union opposition to the government's public sector pay.

The Treasury is determined to keep wage inflation at a minimum and has forced teachers, nurses, police and others to accept pay increases which are effectively below inflation in recent months.

Unions say this is unfair and that hard-working public sector staff should not be the ones who suffer most.

Individual unions like the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) are planning their own actions, but the TUC has shied away from calling a nationwide strike on the issue.

Recent Debates

Climate change talks
World nations are meeting in Poznan, Poland, for a fortnight of negotiations on a climate treaty to succeed the Kyoto protocol. PEGIGWC: Don't hide behind credit crunch UNFCCC: Expect disappointment

Tory arrest
Damien Green, shadow immigration minister, was arrested last night and had his home, constituency offices and Westminster offices searched by counter terrorism officers. Tories: Green denies wrongdoing Met: Decision taken without ministerial advice Green: I was astonished to be arrested

School leaving age
The age at which teenagers remain in compulsory education or training will be increased from 16 to 18 over the next seven years, starting this week. Tories: Badly thought out policy Voice: A potential minefield Labour: For a fair society

Cannabis reclassification
Cannabis will become a class B drug again after the last opportunity for opponents to stop reclassification failed in the House of Lords. Home Office: Reclassification deters users

Opinion Formers

BNTL Freeway

BNTL is an organisation seeking to promote healthy drug-free life styles and to inform on the effect of alcohol and drugs on individuals and communities.