Hard Times Trade Unions Tackling Poverty

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Hard TimesTrade Unions Tackling Poverty

• Kevin Rowan
• Regional Secretary

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Tackling Poverty is a Trade Union
IssueParticularly for Northern RegionPoverty
is in Working HouseholdsPoverty sustained by
Low PayPoverty perpetuated by Inequality 
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Northern Region highest rates of poverty outside
LondonOver 30 of children in this region live
in poverty57 of children in poverty are in
working householdsPoverty is not limited to
those out of workTackling poverty is a
workplace challenge
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High prevalence of low pay in the regionOver 1
in 4 in this region are low-paid, compared to
around 1 in 5 UK-wideScale of low pay growing
manufacturing to service sectorSecure, good
quality employment to vulnerable, low-paid work
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Poverty and InequalityWomen, bme and disabled
workers more likely to be low paid or in
vulnerable employmentWomen earn just 61 of
male earningsUnder-employment and occupational
segregation key factors in pay inequality 
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Low pay in the public sectorOver a quarter of
low paid jobs are in the public sectorPay
ceiling double impact on pay and on tackling
poverty 
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A trade union agenda for actionQuality of
employment, challenging vulnerable work, as part
of tackling povertyChallenge low pay and
poverty wages, campaign for a living
wageAchieve greater equality at work,
occupational segregation, flexible working and
discriminationEquality in learning and skills
development