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Public sector pay - tell us your stories

5 September 2008

PCS is campaigning for fair public sector pay - we are not asking for any favours, just a decent living wage.

"PCS members contribute every single day to the running of this country, and they’re not asking for double digit pay rises and pots of gold. What we’re asking for is a living wage and no cuts in our living standards." Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary.

Victims not the causes of inflation

The government is saying that pay rises for public sector workers that match inflation would cause more inflation - even the experts say this is not the case.

PCS members are being squeezed by below inflation pay offers on one side and massive increases in the cost of living on the other.

  • Susan is a PCS member working in the prison service - she can't afford to a birthday present for her son.
  • Katie is a ministerial diary officer - she's living in shared accomodation and will never be able to afford her own place.
  • Carol is an internation trade adviser - she needs to drive because of her disability, yet she can't afford petrol for her car.
  • Mohammed is a case worker for the Child Support Agency - he has had to take a weekend job to make ends meet.

 

How is public sector pay affecting you - tell us your story here on PCS comment.

PCS members work hard to keep the country running - we deserve better. Find out more about our pay campaign.

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  1. Heat or Food?

    9 September 2008

    My pay offer amounts to a derisory £468 per year. After Tax and NI that leaves me £26.91 per month. Not even enough to cover the rise in my fuel bill. This winter it will be a choice between food or heat. Though porridge may well be the answer as it is filling and warming, it is a far cry from the public perception of 'Fat Cat' civil servants. Welcome to the real world folks.

    Dee Luxford
    Secondary Job

    8 September 2008

    I now have to go out at night to a cleaning job to earn extra money, not for luxuries in life but to keep me afloat ie, dentist, optician and prescription, I had to take a loan out to obtain my glasses as I just could not afford them as I work on a computer during the day I was experiencing very severe headaches now I have to go out at night to pay for this. What a joke !!!!!!! All those qualifications still in a poor paid job.

    Linda Gibb
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