Workers need a substantial pay rise in 2022 as food, heating, lighting and driving are set to increase by €2,000.
That’s according to People Before Profit Galway representative Adrian Curran who said that the government has refused to impose maximum price orders to stop these rising prices.
“Workers need to put in pay claims to defend their living standards. That means calling a workplace meeting and voting to get a union to demand extra wages,” said Mr Curran.
“Some have claimed that we should not worry because the price hikes are ‘transitory;. Yet there is no sign that inflation is declining and instead price hikes have hit a 20 year high.”
Mr Curran said that workers should not accept the argument that a wage rise will lead to an ‘inflationary spiral’.
“Inflation did not arise because workers were pressing for more wages. Instead of constantly looking for wage moderation, maybe it is time we had some ‘profit moderation’ to help curb rising prices.
“We need at least a 6% increase – not just a few euros.”
