In remarks to the media today about a possible public sector pay
cap, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
“This is the very last thing the economy needs as it tries to
recover. Key workers have kept this country on its feet
throughout the pandemic.
“This isn’t about fairness at all. This is a con job. The
Government will argue this is about holding down public sector
pay because private sector pay has gone down, but it makes no
sense economically. Public sector workers spend their pay rises
in private sector retail and private sector hospitality.
“This is a predictable attempt at divide and rule in the middle
of a pandemic. Police officers, prison officers, school support
staff, teachers, head teachers, DWP workers, hospital ancillary
staff, have all put their lives on the line this year and they
all deserve a pay rise. So should the delivery drivers for big
supermarkets. We are supposed to be all in this together as
working people.
“Not so long ago the Government was so worried about teacher
recruitment that they promised starting salaries would increase.
But a pay freeze means recruitment problems will be back with a
vengeance after the pandemic.
“If does end up saying to school staff that their pay will
be held down, then it is entirely the wrong moment to say it.
This is not levelling up, but levelling down.”
