Unions issue post-virus pay freeze warning

Unions representing millions of public sector workers – including nurses, firefighters and council staff – have warned against a pay freeze and a fresh round of austerity to help meet the cost of the coronavirus crisis.

The Government has denied reports that a Treasury document had been drawn up including measures such as income tax hikes and a twoyear public sector pay freeze.

Dame Donna Kinnair, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "This proposal is the exact opposite of what's expected and deserved.

"We will make sure no government forgets the professionalism demonstrated by all nursing staff during this pandemic and before it."

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: "The Government is talking about dishing out medals to key workers in one breath, whilst planning pay cuts for them in another. We will fight any attempt to make those who see us through the coronavirus crisis pay for it with another real-terms pay cut."

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "It's appalling that anyone in the Government is even contemplating freezing public sector pay.”

Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said: "Public sector workers are on the front line keeping people safe and maintaining the economy. To suggest that their hard work and sacrifice should be rewarded with a pay freeze is simply insulting.”

Rehana Azam, national officer of the GMB, said: "Demanding public sector workers who have put themselves on the line to keep us safe pick up the coronavirus bill just won't wash.