Please join us this Thursday lunchtime (30 May 2019) for a special event co-organised with our friends at UNISON University of Birmingham and special guest Liam Byrne MP, where we’ll be exploring how we can make the University become a real Living Wage employer and start to tackle the scandal of in-work poverty.

UNISON UoB are currently balloting their members over industrial action to secure fair pay and equality, including a commitment from management for UoB to become an accredited Living Wage employer (https://birminghamucu.org/2019/05/18/high-noon-for-david-eastwood-unison-uob-strike-ballot/).

A fair day’s pay

The real Living Wage is based on the cost of living and is voluntarily paid by over 5,000 UK employers who believe a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.

In April, Mr Byrne made headlines when he turned down an honorary role at UoB because it is not an accredited Living Wage employer, stating in his letter: “Implementation of the real Living Wage is therefore absolutely essential in tackling poverty in the city.” (https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/mp-turns-down-major-honour-16084593).

Mr Byrne also conducted a survey of publicly-funded organisations in Birmingham, including universities, hospitals and schools, and found fewer than one in five have Living Wage accreditation.

Event details

Join us at the Murray Learning Centre, UG07, to learn more about what the Real Living Wage is, why it matters and discuss with Liam how we can work together to drive its by UoB and other employers in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region.

RSVP via Facebook

Full details of the event can be found over on our Facebook page. Please follow the link below. You don’t have to RSVP via Facebook but doing so helps us get an idea of numbers. If you’d prefer, you can also RSVP by emailing admin@birminghamucu.org or simply turn up on the day.

Making UoB a Real Living Wage employer with Liam Byrne MP