4% inflation – what about our pay?

Real hardship

The RPI inflation figure stands at 4% with fuel and light costs up 6.5%.  After many years of pay and conditions being squeezed in housing associations many Unite members are now calling for 5% pay increases.  

Inflation has pushed increasing numbers of housing staff in to real hardship.  Inside Housing magazine recently reported on how the housing crisis has hit social housing workers citing cases of homelessness and badly housed workers. Meanwhile senior executives in associations have routinely had inflation busting pay hikes in recent years.

Employment costs down by 6.6%

Can housing associations afford to give us 5%? As we have recently reported their surpluses are up 15.6% to a record £5.6 billion in 2016/17 while employment costs are down by 6.6%, falling to £3.37 billion.  Staff costs would still be down if they pay us 5% - they can afford it!

Credit ratings agencies agree: "UK housing associations have contained costs and are expected to maintain high operating margins of 29% in 2018, down only slightly from the previous year," according to Jeanne Harrison, a Moody's Vice President.  As we have pointed out, this is a very high margin, significantly higher than private housing developers manage.

Mears workers 20% pay increase

Members of our branch in Peter Bedford Housing recently achieved a 4.5% pay increase while Unite members working for Mears in Manchester have secured 20% pay increases and improved terms – what are you doing in your workplace?

We want you to get involved in the campaign.  Contact the branch to link up and see Unite's "Work Voice Play" website here

Paul Kershaw February 22nd