Sainsbury’s pay offer ‘ robs Peter to pay Paul’

SAINSBURY’S came under fi re yesterday over a new pay structure that could leave thousands of workers out of pocket.

The supermarket has increased its original £ 100million investment by £ 10million after consultations with staff, to boost pay for online delivery drivers, those working unsociable hours and staff in Outer London boroughs. Its hourly rate will go up from £ 8 to £ 9.20, giving 121,000 workers an average pay rise of 9.3 per cent, with the changes “rectifying the unfairness of colleagues working side- byside in store, doing exactly the same job, but being paid different amounts, depending on when they started working for Sainsbury’s”.

But the removal of paid breaks and Sunday premium pay will leave 9,000 workers worse off by an average £ 400. Sainsbury’s will make up the difference in their earnings for 18 months and review its policy in March 2020.

Usdaw national offi cer Joanne McGuinness said: “We are pleased to have moved the company on some elements, but remain concerned that 7 per cent of staff will not benefi t from what is a sub- stantial pay rise for the vast majority. Some staff could be worse- off after the 18 months of top- up payments end and we will continue in talks with the company to try to mitigate that issue.”

The Unite union said it would seek legal advice overSainsbury’s “failure to meaningfully consult over a ‘ robbing Peter to pay Paul’ pay offer”.