Living wage row

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Comhairle fails to make payment to workers, claims unison 3/11/14

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is one of only two councils in Scotland still dragging its feet over payment of the Living Wage, despite having agreed to do so over six months ago, it is claimed.

The local government branch of public sector trade union, UNISON, is stepping-up its campaign for payment of a living wage to the lowest-earning council workers by the Comhairle.

Branch Organiser, Flora Somerville said: “Though it's been encouraging to see the Comhairle supporting campaigns against fuel poverty and unfair charges for electricity recently; it really needs to start getting its own house in order.

“UNISON members are angry that the Comhairle - in ‘Living Wage Week 2014’ – still hasn’t paid the Living Wage due from 2013! UNISON is pushing the Comhairle hard to sort all this out before Christmas – the time when our lowest paid members are most in need.”

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.

In 2013, payment of the Living Wage formed part of a pay award imposed on employees by local government employer, CoSLA.

The Comhairle has so far failed to make this payment to staff - and is one of only two local authorities who have not implemented the nationally-imposed directive to-date.

UNISON Branch Secretary, Alison MacCorquodale, said: “Decent wages for ordinary workers are at the core of a healthy local economy.

“For each £1 reduction in public-spending, £1.60 of private-sector economic activity is lost. Much is made of the fact that the Outer Hebrides economy is fragile – surely the Comhairle should take a lead in setting exemplary standards of pay?

“The fact that its lowest-paid employees currently earn only slightly more than the national minimum wage – which has been proven to be too little for an individual and their family to make ends meet - is shameful.

“UNISON will not give up until the Living Wage is finally incorporated into the Comhairle’s pay-scales.”