Unite Union Secures Massive Pay Rise for 24,000 1 Staff
More than 24,000 workers at 1 are set to get a hefty pay boost of over 13% within the next 18 months, starting this September. The Unite union announced the deal after tough negotiations. Staff will also receive a one-off £1,000 payment. Pilots and management were excluded from the agreement.
Inflation-Busting Pay Deal Reverses 2020 Cuts
This raise and bonus come as a direct response to soaring inflation, which currently sits at 7.9%—way above the Bank of England’s 2% target. The deal also rolls back pay cuts introduced in 2020, giving workers some breathing room amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Unite Chief Hails Victory as Travel Demand Soars
Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, praised the “sizeable pay increase” achieved through “detailed negotiations.” The timing couldn’t be better for the aviation sector, with air travel demand surging during the busy summer holiday season. Families are booking flights in droves as schools break for summer.
Fashion Shock: Julien MacDonald’s Company Goes Bust
In a blow to British fashion, the company of Welsh designer Julien MacDonald has entered liquidation. The pandemic and lost contracts badly hit cash flow. MacDonald, famed for dressing stars like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez, recently designed Wales’ outfits for the 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
US Jobs Market: Slow but Steady Recovery Continues
Across the pond, July’s job growth added 187,000 roles—slightly below expectations but still showing a tight US labour market. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, the lowest in over 50 years. Some sectors like leisure and hospitality remain below pre-pandemic levels, but companies are holding onto staff amid ongoing labour shortages.
The Federal Reserve predicts unemployment might tick up to 4.1% by year’s end, but for now, the job market signals a steady recovery despite recent hiring slowdowns.
