TUC's Frances O'Grady reckons we should all be working a 4-day week without a paycut
If someone offered you the chance to cut your working week down from 5 days to 4, and still get paid the same, you'd bite their hand off for such an offer. Of course you would - it's a no brainer. While you probably think I'm just teasing you with such a golden ticket, it may actually be on the horizon, at least it does if Trades Union Congress (TUC) secretary Frances O’Grady has anything to do with it.
O’Grady thinks that the advent of new technology means more wealth is being created, which is why she believes we shouldn't be working so much. She says:
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. So, for the 21st century, let’s lift our ambition again. I believe that in this century we can win a four-day working week, with decent pay for everyone.
It’s time to share the wealth from new technology. Not allow those at the top to grab it for themselves.We need strong unions with the right to go into every workplace – starting with Amazon’s warehouses here in the UK. Bosses and shareholders must not be allowed to hoover up all the gains from new tech for themselves.
Working people deserve their fair share – and that means using the gains from new tech to raise pay and allow more time with their families.If productivity gains from new technology are even half as good as promised then the country can afford to make working lives better.
Damn. This all sounds amazing but it seems pretty unlikely considering the current climate. You never know though, maybe over the next few decades a 4-day week will be a normal thing. Here's hoping.
