Fare increases outstrip pay
We pay five times as much as European commuters
Commuters were faced with around 3.6% fare increases today. As has been widely reported, that is over 50% more than the increase in earnings this year, no wonder there were protests at stations. British commuters will spend up to 5 times as much of their salary on season tickets as passengers on the continent.
Unite members will note that the government uses the RPI inflation measure when considering rail fares but recommends the CPI inflation when looking at pay which is usually lower – Unite negotiators will remind employers of the need to look at inflation as it hits ordinary people.
Housing associations saved 6.6% in staff costs we claim 5% increase this year
Housing association employees saved 6.6% in staff costs last year Unite reps have been calling for 5% pay increases and evidence continues to come in confirming the affordability of these claims and real hardship for housing association workers. These increases are another reason to commit to a new year’s resolution to achieve decent pay rises this year.
Paul Kershaw 2nd January 2018
