HOUSING workers at a Welsh social enterprise are being forced to use foodbanks to survive while bosses are receiving a £6,000 pay rise, Unison has said.

Staff at Bron Afon Community Housing are due to demonstrate outside its headquarters in Cwmbran today over receiving a below-inflation pay offer of 5 per cent, or £1,921.

Unison said that the chief executive will see his annual salary rise by £6,450 to £135,450 if the latest pay deal is forced through.

The union said that it and GMB had been in negotiations with Bron Afon but bosses have withdrawn previously rejected pay offers of 5.3 and 6.5 per cent, and are now imposing the latest offer.
Unison regional organiser Rosie Lewis said: “The workers at Bron Afon provide a vital service in their community and it is appalling that some are now being forced to use foodbanks while bosses at the business are receiving a huge boost to their salaries.”

Bron Afon chief executive Alan Brunt said: “We believe a 6 per cent pay award is fair for this year. It is in line with agreements across the housing sector and is reasonable in the current financial climate.”