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The threat of redundancy, low morale, increased workload and funding cuts, are in the top ten worries currently facing public sector workers, says UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union.
A survey* carried out by the union, ahead of next week’s TUC in Liverpool, showed public sector workers hit hard by the recession. Workers fear spending cuts will intensify staff shortages, increase already heavy workloads, and drive down the quality of services and morale even further.
The union is warning that swingeing cuts would turn back the clock to the recruitment and retention crisis hitting health, education and local government services before the 1997 election. It is urging the Government to keep up investment through the recession, or risk hitting services even harder and the very people who depend on them.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said;
“Our survey dispels the myth that public sector workers are immune from the worst effects of the recession. Fear for their jobs, and for their families’ jobs came top of the list when we asked public sector workers about their biggest worries. And the facts speak for themselves. This year thousands of public sector workers have joined the dole queue, with even more cuts on the cards.
“Low pay is still rife in the public sector with many workers getting as little as 0.5% increase this year, and the threat of pay freezes looming over others. With many workers already struggling to keep up with their bills, the fear is that next year pay will take an even bigger hit because of budget cuts.
“The survey shows that job insecurity, tough pay deals, increasing workloads, staff shortages and the looming prospect of budget cuts is forcing morale into nosedive. And funding cuts will only increase the pressure on public sector workers. Staff shortages and recruitment difficulties are already taking their toll in areas like home care, midwifery and social work.
“Restructuring came third on the list, with privatisation a major concern. Staff can see that services suffer when you put profit before people. And privatisation in many forms is creeping even deeper into the public sector. Many staff have faced restructure after restructure, and delivered round after round of efficiency savings. But there is only so much you can squeeze out before services start to suffer.
“The Government talks about tough decisions on spending, but it could save billions by scrapping Trident, the ID cards system and a pay-back tax on profits from bailed out banks and institutions. That way we can deliver the quality health, education and local services that we all need and can be proud of.”
Public sector workers top ten worries are:
1. The threat of redundancy
2. Worries over pay
3. Restructuring/privatisation– constant changes to working practices
4. Funding cutbacks
5. Bad management
6. Increased workload
7. Morale
8. Disciplinaries, health and safety
9. Staff shortages
10. The economy *UNISON surveyed a cross section of more than 100 branches, representing hundreds of thousands of members, in August 2009, asking for their top three worries.
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