Vale of Glamorgan school support staff; refuse workers; cleaners; caterers and more are in line for a pay rise after the council worked in partnership with the trade unions to deliver a minimum rate of £9.18 per hour, effective from 1 April 2019.
Hourly wages will increase by £1.28 from the current £7.90. The new level is £1.35 higher than the national minimum rate and also exceeds the independently-set Foundation Living Wage. The trade unions say it will ensure no-one at the council suffers in-work poverty.
The Vale of Glamorgan is one of the first authorities in Wales to sign-off the local details of the two-year national agreement for local government across the UK.
Glenn Pappas, UNISON branch secretary and convenor for the trade unions at the council, said,
“This is a great advert for trade unions in helping to lift workers and their families out of poverty and the new rates will give people more control over their lives. Most of the authority’s staff live locally so this deal means more money will be spent on Vale high streets. Credit to the council for listening to the unions.”
Rob Thomas, managing director at the Vale of Glamorgan council, said,
“It’s important for the authority to set an example as a good employer to other businesses in our community. We recognise the significant commitment all our staff make in the delivery of vital public services and want to ensure decent minimum rates of pay.”
Notes for editors
- Local authorities are part of the UK-wide NJC pay deal which runs from April 2018 – March 2020. This included substantial awards for the lowest paid members of staff and a new pay spine. The offer needed to be applied in each local authority because each employer has their own grading structure. It is this work that has been completed in the Vale of Glamorgan and the council has become one of the first in Wales to sign-off
- The national living wage is £7.83 per hour for those aged over 25. It is due to increase to £8.21 in April 2019
- The Foundation Living Wage is £9 per hour. The independently-calculated rate is the minimum income needed to survive, based upon a basket of household goods and services
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON Press Officer on 07816 538397