Youth workers say no to pay cuts

Youth and community workers for local councils have rejected the employers offer of a below inflation pay "rise" of 2.45%.

Submitted by Steven. on September 4, 2008

The offer is for employees on JNC pay and conditions, which includes workers in youth clubs and Connexions advisers, and was rejected by both UNISON and the youth workers' branch of Unite, the CYWU.

UNISON has launched a campaign for fair pay for youth and community workers, while the CYWU is to ballot its members for industrial action, asking:

"Are you prepared to strike, perhaps several times, alongside other public sector workers affected by exactly the same pay cuts and 2.45% offer, or are you prepared for another year of pay cuts and worsening resourcing for our service? Six million public sector workers can’t be wrong in rejecting the 2.45%? Will you add your voice to theirs in solidarity?"

Some workers fear, however, that UNISON's campaign may be as lacklustre as those in UNISON's health or local government NJC sections. In some areas UNISON has actively encouraged workers to accept pay cuts.

Many JNC staff struck alongside other local government workers on July 16-17 in support of their colleagues' fight against their sub inflationary pay offer.

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