TUC General Secretary to warn about growing in-work poverty at inaugural Mary Macarthur lecture

TUC General Secretary to warn about growing in-work poverty at inaugural Mary Macarthur lecture 

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady will warn today (Friday), at the inaugural Mary Macarthur lecture in Rowley Regis, that many women in the West Midlands are at risk of being left behind as they risk becoming trapped in in-work poverty.
Frances will tell guests that a growing number of women in the region are being employed on poverty wages.
Frances will say:

“Here in Rowley Regis over two-fifths of female workers earn less than the living the wage. Try telling them the recovery is fair, when they are struggling make ends meet and pay the bills.

“Women are being employed on poverty pay across the West Midlands, as many find themselves trapped in insecure work.

"We need to rediscover the spirit of the Chainmakers if the rewards of growth are to be shared more fairly. In this new era of zero-hours contracts and casualisation, collective bargaining has never been more important. Without a better deal for women and stronger unions, millions of low-paid workers will continue to be left behind.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary, will give the inaugural Mary Macarthur lecture at the Blackheath Coronation Club in Rowley Regis on Friday 6  March at 7.00 pm
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:
Rob Johnston T: 0121 236 4454  M: 07879 497291  E: rjohnston@tuc.org.uk
Lee Barron  T: 0121 236 4454  M: 07919 102472 E: lbarron@tuc.org.uk