27.04.1995

Living wage

Littlewoods’ three percent pay offer and a new bonus scheme has been rejected by the staff. Members of the shop workers union Usdaw are among the lowest paid in Britain. But now the mood of the workforce is changing.

After years of below-inflation settlements the empty rhetoric of Tories sounds hollow; the pipe dream promises of the Labour Party are no better.

Tony Blair addressed the annual Usdaw delegates conference this week. The message he brings is “Don’t rock the boat; don’t ask for too much”. Marcus Miller, communist candidate for Moss Side, commented: “Unemployment and low paid work are the norm in this area. The living wage we need can’t wait. The modest sum of £275 per week is the minimum workers need and should fight for.”

Usdaw worker, Manchester