Christmas pay rise on the cards for lower paid council workers

More than 100 Perth and Kinross council workers could be in line for a pay rise before Christmas as councillors consider increasing their wages.

Staff are entitled to a 25p an hour rise from May 1 next year after the Living Wage Foundation increased the rate to £9 an hour.

However, councillors will table a motion next week to increase the rate from November 5 this year.

Councillors Alasdair Bailey and Xander McDade argue the £15,300 cost of making the change can be met from an underspend in pensions.

The real Living Wage is the rate of pay set by the Living Wage Foundation and takes account of all living costs. As an accredited Living Wage Employer, the council is committed to the rise.

Mr Bailey said: “As Christmas approaches, it will be fantastic if Perth and Kinross Council is able to pass on some festive cheer by paying the new Real Living Wage rate effective from the date it was announced. Doing so will help us to continue to protect our employees from the growing problem of in-work poverty and set an example to others in the area by showing that it is possible to reward workers fairly for a job well done even in difficult economic times.

“This increase will benefit 114 council employees who would otherwise only get paid the new rate from 1st May 2019. The funding will come from an underspend that results from fewer people than expected taking up early retiral.”

Mr McDade said: “This motion gives the council the opportunity to lead by example and provide our lowest paid workers a much needed wage increase. I hope colleagues from across the council chamber will support this progressive motion and show some of our lowest paid workers how much we appreciate them. I would also hope that other local Living Wage employers will follow our lead and pay the be rate ahead of the new financial year, which would be a boost to low wage workers across Perth and Kinross.”