Scots See Wages Fall in Real Terms
A growing problem for people in Scotland is that their wages are falling in real terms, says the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC).
Mar 17, 2015, 07:00 ET
GLASGOW, Scotland, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- They say that the value in real wages has dropped over the past six years at a rate that hasn't been seen since the mid-19th-century.
Indeed, they say the collapse in real wages is 'without precedent' for modern times.
The union says that the biggest losers have been women working part-time who are now earning 12% less since 2009 because wages did not keep pace with inflation.
STUC calls for improved 'real wages'
However, managers and financial directors in Scotland saw their real wages grow by 23% in the past year, according to STUC.
The organisation has also questioned the strength of the economic recovery but acknowledge that GDP and employment have improved more than anticipated in the past two years.
The STUC published its findings ahead of the upcoming budget from the Chancellor George Osborne MP.
The unions say that the government's austerity measures have failed and that work needs to be done to restore the value in real wages.
Low wages affect the poor more
Grahame Smith, the STUC's general secretary, said: "As we emerge from years of stagnation and recession, the anticipated recovery for living standards has not materialised.
"This collapse in real wages is without precedent in 150 years and benefit cuts have led to some of society's most vulnerable people suffering from what are the coalition's misguided social and economic policies."
Mr. Smith said: "Low paid jobs such as retail cashiers and sales people saw another significant cut in real wages of 12% and 9.4% respectively."
The trade unions in Scotland now want to see real wages grow over a long period along with a boost in productivity.
They are also calling for greater public investment and more promotion of a living wage as well as a new 50p higher tax rate.
For many Scots suffering with debt, this news of the decline in real wages will come as no surprise.
However, for people living in Scotland who are struggling with their debts there are several ways to tackle them. Visit scotlandstrustdeed.co.uk today to find out if we can help.
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SOURCE Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC)