What: Britain needs a pay rise march from Embankment to Hyde Park, London
When: 11am, Saturday 18 October 2014
Where: Assemble at Embankment, London (by Blackfriars station)
Firefighters will be joining the TUC organiseed “Britain needs a pay rise” march through London on 18 October 2014.
The march will send a clear message to the coalition government that Britain needs a properly enforced minimum wage, that the pay freeze in the public sector has to end and that there should be an increased commitment to the living wage as well as a crackdown on excessive executive pay.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “We are facing the most horrific attack on workers’ living standards since before the Second World War.
“Real wages are falling, workers rights are being attacked and our pensions are being robbed.
“This demonstration has to be part of building a huge movement to challenge this government – or any other politicians who think they can carry on attacking us.
“We need to stand together to protect jobs, pay and pensions.”
Firefighters, like millions of other workers, have seen living standards fall as pay fails to keep pace with price increases. And all the while facing the robbery of our pension rights by central government.
Since 2010 firefighters have faced 2 years of pay freezes followed by 2 years of pay rises capped at 1%, a figure well below the rate of inflation. This on top of rising pension contributions means in real terms we go home with a lot less.
The TUC march and rally on 18 October is one of the final chances before the general election for firefighters to stand with the rest of the labour movement and say enough is enough.
For details of transport to the march and rally in London, please see your brigade organisers.
