Key Workers Say: “We’re Worth More!”
GMB Scotland Media Calling Notice: Key Workers Say: “We’re Worth More!”
Where: George Square, Glasgow.
When: 10.00 hours, Monday 19 April 2021
Ahead of STUC Conference, Scotland’s key workers tell Ministers, “We’re worth more!”
Ahead of the start of the 124th STUC Annual Conference, GMB Scotland members from care, nursing, refuse, ambulance, and school support services, will tell Ministers, “We’re worth more!” as they campaign for a rejection of the NHS and COSLA pay offers for 2021.
GMB workplace representatives in NHS Scotland and COSLA are strongly urging members to reject the respective 4 per cent and £800 increases for the lowest paid workers, arguing the Scottish Government can and should go further after the last twelve months.
The union’s consultative ballot in COSLA will run until Thursday 22 April, and until Wednesday 5 May in NHS Scotland.
GMB Scotland Senior Organiser Drew Duffy said:
“We were told at the start of the pandemic that Scotland was prepared for COVID-19, but nothing could have been further from the truth.
“Health and social care staff tackled the first wave of COVID-19 without proper PPE, home carers were left without workplace testing until January, and school support staff were an afterthought in the education recovery plan.
“From PPE, testing, sick pay support and socially distanced working arrangements, everything that’s been put in place to protect the workers on which we all depend had to be fought for by the workers’ themselves.
“And after a wretched year and desperate decade, where their modest incomes have been cut by thousands of pounds, our members are prepared to fight again for their proper value, against pay offers that don’t amount to much more than a £10 a week increase for many.
“They’ve heard the applause and they’ve read all the political platitudes, but now they are telling the Scottish Government to listen, and the message is clear: “We’re worth more.””
ENDS
Contact: GMB Scotland Communications on 07976 447077.
