NL Council praised for commitment to fair pay
Authority gets Living Wage accreditation
North Lanarkshire Council has been accredited as a Living Wage employer for its commitment to fair pay for both employed and contracted staff.
The endorsement by The Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative will see everyone working at North Lanarkshire Council as a direct employee or third-party contractor receive at least a minimum hourly wage of £8.45.
Although over 13,000 employed staff members at North Lanarkshire have been paid at least the living wage for a number of years, the council has also been working with over 800 contractors and suppliers through a phased implementation plan to encourage them to observe the hourly rate.
Council leader Jim Logue said: “Our staff is the lifeblood of the council, delivering a range of services to people in our communities. Although North Lanarkshire Council has been paying at least the living wage to its employees for a number of years, becoming an accredited Living Wage employer encourages our many suppliers to pass on the benefits to their staff who are working with us.
“Considering many of our staff also live in the council area, it is vital that they are paid a fair and reasonable wage to assist them with an affordable quality of life. There are clear benefits for the organisation too, including improved staff retention and quality of service and reduced staff absences.
“A number of communities in North Lanarkshire feel the direct impact of inequalities and poverty on their lives and we will continue to explore ways to improve opportunities for people living and working in North Lanarkshire. Being an accredited Living Wage employer is just one way that we can help people to do just that.”
Marie Quigley, chair of North Lanarkshire’s Joint Trade Unions, representing UNISON, GMB and Unite, welcomed the announcement.
She added: “The living wage is something all three unions have been campaigning on nationally for a long time, so this news is very welcome. It guarantees an hourly rate of £8.45 for the lowest paid people in the council. The living wage is about preventing in- work poverty and paying people at a rate that provides security and dignity in work.
“We commend the council for extending the living wage responsibility to its contractors and suppliers and for setting a strong example that says poverty wages in our community will not be tolerated.”
It’s vital they’re paid a fair and reasonable wage to assist with quality of life