UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Saturday 19 September 2009

Time to take urgent action on excessive pay says Compass‏

Left of centre pressure group Compass is calling on trade unionists to write to the Chancellor demanding that the government establishes a High Pay Commission. Over one thousand have done so already.

Gavin Hayes General Secretary of Compass says:

"It's important we keep the pressure up. The Guardian has revealed this week that executives at Britain's top companies saw their basic salaries leap 10% last year, despite the onset of the worst global recession in decades, in which their companies lost almost a third of their value. At the same time unemployment is at a 14 year high. Do you think this is fair?

It is quick and easy to write to Alistair Darling. Please click here to demand a High Pay Commission: http://action.compassonline.org.uk/chancellor

The Guardian report has also revealed that lavish perks come as standard for executives; Micky Arison, the chief executive of P&O cruise company Carnival, gets £80,000 a year so he can secure tickets to top sporting events and another £135,000 a year of private travel in the corporate jet. We need to get the message across to the Chancellor: doing nothing on excessive pay is not an option - help the government see sense on this crucial issue."