Aberdeenshire Council pledges to introduce living wage supplement

By FRANK URQUHART
Published on 15/11/2012 15:16

ABERDEENSHIRE Council has become the latest local authority in Scotland to pledge to introduce the living wage supplement to its lowest paid workers.

• Recommendation put forward to make a commitment in principle to introduce Living Wage supplement

• Agreed that proposals be presented at the earliest opportunity, exploring full implications and options for introducing the supplement in context of on-going national and local negotiations

At the meeting of Policy and Resources Committee today a recommendation was put forward by the leader of the council Councillor Jim Gifford to make a commitment in principle to introduce the Living Wage supplement.

It was agreed that proposals should be presented to the committee at the earliest opportunity, exploring the full implications and options for introducing the Living Wage supplement in the context of on-going national and local negotiations.

Mr Gifford said: “We recognise that a large proportion of our workforce are in low paid jobs due to the nature of the services that the council offers. We value our workforce and need to take action to support our lowest paid staff through these difficult financial times.

“I hope that this commitment by the council will make a significant difference to the lives of our lowest paid staff and their families.”