We need to campaign for a £10 living wage now

Colin Paterson

Colin Paterson, speaking for the Service Group Executive told Local Government delegates that whilst we rightly campaign for a living wage, we need to remember that the current living wage should be a minimum – not a target.

As delegates threw their weight behind a living wage of £10 per hour, Colin reminded Conference that the current Living Wage does not reflect the true cost of living.
“Do we really believe that an employer should take the credit for paying the minimum that our members need to survive?” asked Colin, adding that as it stands at present, the Living Wage does not reflect the true cost of living.

“The formula used to work it out makes some critical assumptions,” he warned.

“It assumes that everyone works full time – yet 55% of the local government workforce work part-time.

“It assumes that people with children have access to social housing – most of our members do not.

“In fact, the calculation used to reach the Living Wage rate requires a cap of 2 per cent above average pay rises.

“Conference, can you remember the last time you got an average pay rise?

“According to the report that sets the Living Wage, the cap exists because there are “limits to how far it is acceptable for employers to increase wages for the lowest earners to meet their increased needs.

“Let’s put that another way: differentials are being eroded from higher earners.”

He called for a living wage that reflects the true cost of living - that acts as base rate of pay across the whole of local government to be paid to all employers.

“The time to campaign for a £10 per hour Living Wage for all workers is here and now,” urged Colin.

15/6/15

 

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