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General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Frances O’Grady has stated that a four day working week with decent pay is achievable for everyone in this century.
In a speech made at the organisations 150th anniversary meeting in Manchester, O’Grady declared that the advancement of technology over recent years has generated more wealth, meaning that we shouldn’t have to work as much.
By reducing the working week to four days, while maintaining a decent pay for workers, O’Grady stated that stress levels will reduce, and people will be able to spend more time with their families. That seems like a good enough reason to me.
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O’Grady used the successes of previous generations as examples of the way which workers’ lives can be improved. arguing that, ‘In the 19th century unions campaigned for an eight hour day. In the 20th century, we won the right to a two day weekend, and paid holidays’. Inspiring stuff, though I can’t help thinking she’s being a little optimistic given the state of the economy.
She accused big business bosses and those at the top of reaping the rewards of this new found wealth, and argued that workers deserved are entitled to far more than they’re getting.
Ironically, according to an article published by The Sun, O’Grady has allegedly given herself an £18,000 pay rise since she got the job of general secretary. There was me thinking she was a woman of the people.
Well, it’s a nice idea, but I don’t think I’ll be getting my hopes up anytime soon.
Forget a four day working week, this study shows that pizza might motivate us to work more than money does!
