University staff to receive national living wage

From 1 January 2013, staff on the lowest pay bands will be paid the national Living Wage rate of £7.45 an hour.

The University has worked closely with UNISON on this issue and is the first organisation in Wolverhampton to have adopted paying the Living Wage.

The University has more than 2,300 staff. The new pay arrangements will have a positive impact on over 220 staff – the majority of whom are from under-represented groups.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Layer said: “We have worked closely with UNISON on this agenda and we think this will lead to improved recruitment and retention of staff as well as raised morale and motivation. But beyond this, we believe we are taking a strong moral and ethical stand to show our commitment to enhancing social mobility and the living conditions of people within the University community.”

 Andrew Penco, UNISON Branch Chair, said: “We are very pleased that the University has worked closely with UNISON on this issue. The Living Wage is an hourly rate of pay that allows workers to earn enough to provide them and their families with the basics of a decent life.

“An organisation like the University of Wolverhampton cannot function effectively without the hard work of its lower paid staff and it is right that they receive fair pay for a fair day’s work. We look forward to continuing the work toward Living Wage accreditation and encouraging other local employers to follow suit.”

The University will now continue to work with both its recognised trade unions and the Living Wage Foundation to achieve its aim of becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer.

All staff on substantive contracts at the University of Wolverhampton will receive the living wage of £7.45 an hour as a minimum from 1 January 2013.

The living wage is £1.26 higher than the national minimum wage.

ENDS

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736

Date Issued: Tuesday, 08 January 2013