Inflation hits 9% RPI
Inflation hits thirty year high
Inflation has hit 9% as measured by the most accurate index used by Unite in pay claims, the Retail Price Index in figures realeased today by the ONS. Even the CPI index hit 7%. A pay increase of less than 9% is a pay cut.
"The only way workers can fight for ‘a better share of the pie’ is by building union strength and the power of collective bargaining. It’s not complicated. Unite’s numerous recent wins on wages prove that.”
In housing we have been surveying groups of workers and this reveals increasing hardship with the use of food banks growing amongst housing association workers. The employers have recognised that increasing difficulty recruiting and retaining workers is leading to a threat to critical care services.
Workers in the sector are putting in very reasonable pay claims in the region of 10% and expect to see movement from management.
Unite wins
Today’s figures show the highest inflation figures in 30 years. Earlier this week, a report from ONS on pay, showed the greatest fall in the value of real wages since June 2014. But Unite’s dozens of wins on higher wages shows how workers can fight for a ‘better share of the pie’.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The double whammy of soaring inflation and falling wages is creating an historic cost of living crisis for workers. The bankers and big business are trying to force workers to pay the price for the pandemic.
"The only way workers can fight for ‘a better share of the pie’ is by building union strength and the power of collective bargaining. It’s not complicated. Unite’s numerous recent wins on wages prove that.”
13 April 2022