Unite survey highlights cost-of-living crisis facing public sector workers

Shock new figures must frame talks on new agreement

Outstanding local bargaining increases must be paid now

As trade unions prepare for talks on a successor to the Public Service Agreement, due to expire at the end of June, trade union Unite today (Monday 30 March) released the results of a new survey of Unite members in the public sector.

Over 800 members responded to the survey carried out between February 16th and 9th March. Unite represents members in a diverse range of workplaces, including local authorities, the health sector, higher education and public bodies such as Enterprise Ireland.

The survey found that:

Almost all respondents stated that their household costs had increased over the past year, with the overwhelming majority citing increases of between 15 and 20 per cent
80 per cent had to cut back on essential spending such as food or energy over the past year
Over a quarter (26 per cent) had fallen behind on payments such as rent, mortgage, bills or loans over the past year
83 per cent had to use savings to meet their household costs over the year
33 per cent had to borrow to meet their household costs over the year

Commenting on the survey results, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “These figures are shocking, alarmingly they do not take into account the potential impact on prices of the US-led war in the Middle East. It is scandalous that public sector workers who provide the services on which we all rely can’t make ends meet”.

With talks on a new public sector pay deal set to start in the coming weeks, Unite is clear that outstanding local bargaining increases must be delivered in advance of a new deal being finalised. Local bargaining provides for a specified percentage of the basic pay cost, inclusive of allowances, to be negotiated for individual grades, groups or categories in the public service.

Unite regional coordinating officer Tom Fitzgerald said:

“The Department of Public Expenditure has been dragging its feet on local bargaining, with the result that many workers are missing out on a pay boost which would make a real difference at a time of spiraling prices. Discussions on a further public sector deal should not advance until outstanding local bargaining increases are paid.”