Union calls for alternative Budget
Union activists have called for an "alternative Budget" amid anger at cuts to public services and warnings that they were having a disproportionate effect on women workers.The annual conference of the Unison trade union heard a string of attacks against the Government for its austerity drive.
Delegate Cath Elliot told the Bournemouth conference: "If you want to cut the deficit, you don't do it by cutting services and putting public sector workers on the dole.
"Austerity does not mean giving bosses a 12% pay rise while cutting the pay of public sector workers. We are witnessing a smash and grab raid at our expense."
Natasha Nicholson argued that women were being hardest hit by the government's spending cuts, especially those in the public sector.
"Women are paying the price for this male-dominated government," she said. The conference called for a temporary cut in VAT to boost spending and an end to job cuts in the public sector.
Delegates approved a motion critical of Labour leader Ed Miliband and shadow chancellor Ed Balls after they voiced support for pay restraint earlier this year.
It read: "There is nothing in the Westminster government's strategy, current, past or future, to address the immediate challenges or build a new model of growth in the longer term.
"An alternative economic strategy is desperately needed to secure jobs, improve confidence and spending power and re-inflate the economy."
Unison will now campaign to highlight the disproportionate impact of "regressive" government policies on women.
"Women are paying the price for this male-dominated government," she said. The conference called for a temporary cut in VAT to boost spending and an end to job cuts in the public sector.
Delegates approved a motion critical of Labour leader Ed Miliband and shadow chancellor Ed Balls after they voiced support for pay restraint earlier this year.
It read: "There is nothing in the Westminster government's strategy, current, past or future, to address the immediate challenges or build a new model of growth in the longer term.
"An alternative economic strategy is desperately needed to secure jobs, improve confidence and spending power and re-inflate the economy."
Unison will now campaign to highlight the disproportionate impact of "regressive" government policies on women.
© 2013 Press Association