Unions ‘do worry’ that a Labour government under Keir Starmer will fail on public sector pay rises

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The current leader of the trade union movement has warned Sir Keir Starmer that any failure to reverse “14 years of attacks on public sector pay” by a Labour government will not be accepted. Matt Wrack, the president of the Trades Union Congress and general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, issued the warning amid concerns over the Labour leadership language on pay settlements. Asked if he was concerned about the language on pay by the Labour leadership, Mr Wrack said: “Yes, I think that is an issue that needs addressing.” open image in gallery Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer during the ITV General Election debate He talked about how collective bargaining had allowed people in the fire service to get an abovabove-inflation rise as opposed to the pay review bodies linked to the government. And I think we will be pursuing that very forcefully, whoever’s in government after July.” open image in gallery Matt Wrack, new TUC president Mr Wrack reminded Sir Keir and the Labour leadership that the party “was created by the unions for working people and needs to be the party of working people”.