Living wage

The Comhairle’s decision to backdate payment of the “living wage” to its lowest-earning staff has been welcomed by an union and the SNP.

The Living Wage, currently £7.65 per-hour, is considered to be the minimum a person needs to live decently and to provide adequately for their family.

Back in November the Comhairle, following an intensive campaign by the union, agreed to pay the Living Wage for 2014 exclusive of Distant Islands Allowance.

However, the council disagreed with the union over its obligation to also back-date living wage payments to April 2013 – which Unison maintained had already been agreed as part of a national pay award.

Unison branch secretary, Alison MacCorquodale said: “We pushed the Comhairle hard to sort this out before Christmas, but they appeared to be burying their heads in the sand.”

SNP councillor Gordon Murray said: “The SNP group had put this forward before Christmas but was this was rejected by the leader and his administration, however, we are glad that the council has changed its mind and agreed with our position.

“Paying a Living Wage was a SNP manifesto commitment and we are glad that our campaign has paid dividends especially to those who are feeling the pressure from rising costs of living."

Welcome for living wage decision

12 February 2015