Council marks International Workers’ Day by introducing Real Living Wage

Bridgend County Borough Council is marking International Workers’ Day (1 May) with a commitment towards introducing the Real Living Wage for staff who are on lower grades.

An independently-set figure which is determined by the Living Wage Foundation, the Real Living Wage is separate to both the statutory minimum and national wage in that businesses can choose to adopt it voluntarily.

It uses factors such as what goods and services a typical household needs in order to calculate a realistic hourly rate of pay.

The move will mean that council staff who are on the lowest pay grades in the current financial year of 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 will receive a Real Living Wage rate of £9.30 an hour.

Current rates for the minimum and national wage are £8.20 for people aged under 25, and £8.72 for people aged 25 and over.

I am delighted that Bridgend County Borough Council is marking International Workers’ Day by confirming its commitment towards adopting the Real Living Wage.

This move is going to benefit more than a thousand council staff who undertake important work as cleaners, kitchen assistants, school crossing patrols and more.

Across the UK, this is becoming increasingly recognised as a reliable and realistic wage which helps people meet the actual costs of living, and I urge other organisations and businesses to implement it too.

Council Leader Huw David

A spokesperson for the Unite, Unison and GMB trade unions said: “We collectively and wholeheartedly welcome Bridgend County Borough Council’s decision to implement the Real Living Wage.

“This is going to provide additional pay for many of the local authority’s lowest-paid workers.”

For more information, visit the Real Living Wage website.