Trade unions fought for an eight-hour day in the 19th century and a two-day weekend in the 20th. In the 21st century, it is time to take the next step and win a shorter working week with fair pay for all.
UNISON members work a wide range of shift patterns delivering essential public services, so some full-time workers will have an ambition for a true 4-day week, while others would like to get their contract reduced with shorter working hours across their usual pattern. Crucially, whichever the model, UNISON’s campaign is about reduced working hours with no loss of pay.
As bosses and profit-makers reap the benefits of automation and artificial intelligence, shouldn’t workers get a share of the productivity gains too, through reduced working hours? The government has stated that its ambition is to shape the AI revolution so that the “increasing of prevalence of AI in people’s working lives opens up new opportunities rather than just threatens traditional patterns of work”.
How would a shorter working week improve workers’ lives and public services?
UK trials of a four-day week in 2022 found that:
- Levels of anxiety and fatigue decreased
- Mental and physical health both improved
Turnover and retention are huge issues in many public services, including the NHS and social care, which have thousands of vacancies. Research conducted by the 4 Day Week Global Campaign has found that:
- 63% of organisations find it easier to attract and retain staff with a four-day week
- 78% of employees with a four-day week are happier and less stressed.