UNISON urges Welsh Assembly Members to reject 18% pay recommendation

UNISON Cymru/Wales is calling on Welsh Assembly Members to reject the pay recommendation that would see their salaries rise by £10,000 per year.

Margaret Thomas, UNISON Cymru/Wales Secretary, said:

“A £10,000 pay rise for Assembly Members cannot be justified, particularly when you take into account the struggle that so many working people are experiencing day in and day out.

“Public sector workers have experienced years of pay restraint that has seen their real term income drop significantly since 2008. These workers are genuinely struggling to make ends meet and an 18% raise in their pay could be life changing.

“UNISON argues that the outcomes of pay review bodies should be respected, however, the Welsh Government were unable to implement the 1% pay review recommendation made for health workers due to financial constraints placed on them from Westminster.

“With this in mind, not only would it be a case of double standards if AMs accepted an 18% pay award, but it would also be an insult to health workers across Wales.

“We are urging AMs to reject the pay recommendation. Our members deserve to be paid fairly for the work that they do and until this can be achieved, it would be unjust for AMs to accept a pay increase, especially of this magnitude.”