In September 2018, Usdaw launched its ‘Time For Better Pay’ campaign in a bid to tackle low pay, short-hour contracts and insecure work. With millions of workers across the UK struggling with their finances as a result of a lack of reliable working hours and financial stability, the campaign has the potential to change so many people’s lives.
For many low paid workers, prices have been rising faster than wages. As a result, millions of people are finding the gap between what they earn and what they need for a basic standard of living is too wide.
The inspiration behind Usdaw’s Time For Better Pay campaign
Usdaw surveyed over 10,500 members to understand the issues they face as a result of low pay, short-hours contracts and insecure work. It found:
- Over the past five years, 92% of those surveyed have seen no improvement in their financial situation.
- Over the past 12 months 76% of low-paid workers have had to rely on payday loans and credit card to pay everyday bills
- 7 in 10 struggled to pay their gas and electricity bills
- One in four regularly missed payments of their rent and mortgage
- One in 10 of those earning less than £8.50 an hour have to use food banks to feed their family
- 63% of people believe that financial worries were having an impact on their mental health
- One in four respondents are contracted to work 16 hours or less
Minimum £10 per hour for all workers
Minimum contract of 16 hours per week for everyone who wants it
One in four respondents to Usdaw’s survey were contracted to work 16 hours or less. While a low number of working hours might suit some students or those with other forms of income to fall back on, one in three of those on short hours contracts want longer hours but can’t get them.
As you can probably imagine, surviving on just 16 hours’ pay each week can be incredibly difficult. Usdaw want to see an end to this.
‘Normal hours’ contracts
Six in ten people regularly work more hours than are guaranteed in their contracts. While overtime might be a blessing to those in need of more money, it can also perpetuate the issue of instability and make it difficult for workers to plan ahead and manage personal commitments. This is especially true when workers are unable to choose their overtime and are under pressure from management to accept all extra hours offered to them.
An inability to plan ahead can be particularly troublesome for workers who are parents or carers and need to shape their responsibilities around work.
Usdaw is fighting to introduce ‘normal hours’ contracts which will make it easier for workers to manage their work/life balance.
An end to zero hour contracts
Almost half of those working 16 hours or less have to rely on in-work benefits such as Universal Credit. This can be an incredibly stressful for those affected and it can impact mental health. Usdaw is campaigning for an end to zero hour contracts so that workers can be sure they’re able to pay their bills each month.
All in all, the Time for Better Pay campaign aims to rectify the issue of in-work poverty and offer hard working retail workers more stability in their lives. By supporting this campaign you can help to drastically improve the working conditions and finances of millions of hard working people.
