Debate contribution: Public-sector Pay

Debate contribution by Mr Daniel McCrossan on 4 March 2024.

MLA

Mr Daniel McCrossan

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

4 March 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Opposition Business

Heading

Public-sector Pay

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4254662

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

I see no more critical issue for the House than this. Over the past number of weeks, months and, indeed, years, colleagues from across the House will have stood on picket lines with our public-sector workers: our nurses, our doctors, our healthcare workers, our teachers, classroom assistants and teaching and non-teaching staff, people who are the life blood of our community and society, who keep the clock ticking on a daily basis. They are the people who educate our children, save our loved one's lives and care for those who need them most. Where were they in the past number of weeks and months? They were standing in the freezing cold, demanding the fair pay they truly deserve. Where were we? We were not in the House; that is a certainty. However, this is an issue that has gone on for far too long. When public-sector workers were needed, they were there. Throughout COVID and some of the biggest challenges that our society has faced, they were there. When they needed us, we were not where we should have been. The House was collapsed on two separate occasions, once for three years, as noted earlier, and again for two years. All along, we could have been here, helping to resolve the challenges that are faced by our nurses, midwives and healthcare workers. On 18 January, those people stood on picket lines in the largest strike action that this place has seen for 50 years. That is an unforgivable situation. I heard, while I stood on those picket lines, Executive parties tell public-sector workers, "When we are back in there, we will resolve this problem. We hear you". It is time that they put their money where their mouths are and ensure that our public-sector workers receive the pay that they are entitled to. The truth is that, over recent years, particularly since the Conservatives came into power in 2010, overall real average pay has fallen by a significant percentage for public-sector workers. Indeed, here, in more recent years, particularly between 2021 and 22, we saw an average fall of 4% in public-sector pay, and a further 7% fall between 2022 and 23. Pay has fallen sharply for public-sector workers in Northern Ireland over the past number of years because of the combination of high inflation, the Stormont Budget crisis and — the truth — a lack of devolved government. The people who needed us to speak up for them were left without a voice, because we were not here where we should have been. Hard-working teachers who were in classrooms during COVID, at high risk, and on whom we relied to look after and educate our children, have stood on picket lines. A significant gap has opened up between teacher pay here and in other parts of the UK. Newly qualified teachers in England earn about £30,000 per year, compared with £24,000 in Northern Ireland. We hear a lot about borders and concern about the border in the Irish Sea, but there is no discussion or debate about the financial border that exists between people across the United Kingdom. The truth is that, in England, Scotland and Wales, teachers and nurses are all much better paid than they are here in Northern Ireland. Let us talk about economic borders. I do not hear the same stand-off when it comes to ensuring that people are duly paid for the job that they do. The hypocrisy on that matter is absolutely astounding. The truth is that the teachers, doctors, nurses and classroom assistants are not buying it. They do not see the same level of concern when it comes to their wages. Teachers' pay has dropped by a staggering 25% in the past decade, which has caused recruitment and retention issues and a continued shortage of teachers. Substitute teachers have also been treated appallingly in this place. They are not paid appropriately for the job that they do. That has led to huge issues with attracting substitute teachers. The Executive must act and offer a fair pay settlement for those who are responsible for providing an outstanding education for our children and young people. Teachers' pay has absolutely stagnated while the cost of living continues to rise, which has left many teachers struggling to cope. A couple of teachers recently said that they can no longer afford to teach. How is that for a damning indictment? Others rely on food banks. This is a huge crisis that needs to be resolved. We have been back here for nearly a month. Conversations are ongoing, but not quickly enough. We need to resolve this issue so that we can settle the industrial disputes in schools and ensure that there is minimal disruption to children's education. The continued devaluation of the teaching profession cannot be tolerated and must be challenged in the strongest terms. Teachers continue to express their frustration, and they are united in their determination to get what is rightfully theirs. The one clear message that I received during my time on the picket line, standing shoulder to shoulder with the people whom I represent, is that they did not want to be there. They do the job that they do because they love teaching. They love helping people and caring for those in our community. Those nurses, doctors, classroom assistants and teachers, who keep our society going on a daily basis, were forced on to that picket line because they were making choices about heating their home or feeding their family and, at the same time, continuing to do an outstanding job in supporting our people. They feel undervalued. They feel that what they do on a daily basis is not appreciated. If we cannot stand up for our public-sector workers, what is the point? It sends a message to wider society and employers that if that is how Government treat public-sector workers, it is OK for other employers to do the same. When are we going to send a message from this House that we must pay people appropriately and fairly for the job that they do? The whole debate about public-sector pay is talked about as though it is a pay increase. It is hardly even levelling up. In truth, we do not pay our public-sector workers enough. Instead, we perform acts of random appreciation by clapping them. When it comes to paying them, we are not there.

Yes.

Absolutely. I completely agree. With hindsight, it is embarrassing that politicians in this House were clapping those health workers, because, when it came to delivering for them, they let them down. That is the message: public-sector workers have been continually and consistently let down by the House. In 2024, our public-sector workers should not have to worry about whether they will have enough money to cover their bills. Every single person in the Chamber has been cared for, or has a loved one who has been cared for, by our NHS staff, particularly over recent times. Last year, our healthcare workers received below-inflation pay offers. It is time that those in power in the Executive delivered for those workers. Even if parity with the pay bands in England were to be restored, it would still leave Northern Ireland health workers in third place behind Scotland and Wales. We need to be ambitious for our public-sector workers. We need to demand more for them. If the House does not start realising the importance and value of our public-sector workers, and if we continue to let them down, the crisis that this place now faces in healthcare and education will worsen. We need to show our public-sector workers that they are valued. Today, we need to send a message to the Executive that it is time to pay up. Pay our public-sector workers, and let them get on with the job that they love doing.

1,316 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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