UPDATE: The Living Wage & Budget 2020
Government have a big decision to make in the next budget.
Will they invest €32 million to ensure that everyone working in Early Years earns at least the Living Wage of €12.30 per hour? Or will the low pay and staffing crisis be allowed to continue for another year?
This is the question that SIPTU members have been asking TD’s across the country as part of our Pre-Budget 2020 campaign.
Threshold of Decency
Low pay means that 94% of Early Years Educators have difficulty in making ends meet. It also means that just 9% are able to cope with unexpected expenses, like replacing a washing machine.
By increasing government funding, providers will be able to increase pay together with a Sectoral Employment Order.
The introduction of the Living Wage is not the ultimate aim of the campaign, but a threshold of decency and the first step towards decent pay scales.
Take Action Now!
Already our Living Wage campaign has received great support from all political parties, but we need action.
If we can put enough pressure on T.D.s, we can make sure that Budget 2020 delivers for the Early Years sector … but this won’t happen without you.
That’s why we are asking all SIPTU members and supporters to contact their local T.D.s by phone or email to demand funding for the Living Wage in the upcoming Budget.
We need to tell them:
- Why low pay is a problem
- The Living Wage is the minimum Early Years Educators should earn
- Government need to allocate €32 million in Budget 2020 to make this happen
You can find your local T.D. here and the SIPTU Pre-Budget Submission here.
Your local SIPTU organsier is also available to help you with this important action. Alternatively you can contact us at bigstart@siptu.ie.
Together we can win the recognition we deserve.
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To join SIPTU for better pay, conditions and funding, simply click here.
