Living wage tactic

The Comhairle is to consider ditching its tactic of using workers’ islands’ allowance to top up wages to the living wage level.

Unions say the islands’ allowance is a separate additional payment and the council should not be including it in the wage calculation.

Many affected employees in the catering and care departments are receiving less than £7.65 per-hour - the rate considered to be the bare minimum to cover basic living costs.

Union Unison has accused the council of “dragging its feet” by failing to pay the proper living wage.

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.

Next week, the councillors are to vote over making payment for this year.

If it gets the go-ahead, affected staff would get it backdated only to April.

Bosses also recommend the Comhairle commit start paying the living wage to its lowest paid personnel from now on.

Council leader Angus Campbell said: “The Comhairle has always recognised the importance of paying the living wage to our lower paid employees particularly in the current economic climate and in an area with the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland.

“There are also benefits to the wider economy if people are paid a living wage.

“It is always a challenge dealing with issues such as this within reducing resources while trying to maintain employee numbers and services to the most vulnerable in our community.”

► Comhairle fails to make payment to workers, claims Unison

Comhairle move to cease living wage tactic

23 November 2014