Happy birthday minimum wage

01.04.09

“The minimum wage is an historic achievement for UNISON and its 10th anniversary is cause for huge celebration,” general secretary Dave Prentis, said today as he cut a cake at the House of Commons to celebrate the wage’s 10th anniversary.

UNISON led the campaign for the minimum wage and the is calling for it to be boosted after the Low Pay Commission delayed its decision on whether to increase the rate until 1 May.

The union is demanding a minimum wage £7.45 an hour by 1 October 2010 - and wants it extended to cover apprentices. The union also says the “development rate” - which pays people under 22 less for doing the same job - should be scrapped as it discriminates against young people.

Mr Prentis was speaking at a special event in Parliament organised by UNISON and its partners in the minimum wage campaign coaltion, campaigners and MPs, said:

Speaking to an audience of coalition partners, campaigners and MPs, he said: “The decision date for this year’s rise was delayed and so we are unable to celebrate fully until we hear the new rate.

“We are calling for the minimum wage to be defended and improved to help the economy and protect low paid workers during the current crisis.

“Food and energy costs continue to take up too much of the family budget, leaving little or no room for anything else.

“The government must also clamp down on rogue employers, who seek ways to evade paying the minimum wage,” he added. “This is why we welcome the increased penalties for employers coming in on 5 April.”