‘Inflation-busting’ wage rise for Glasgow workers

THE leader of Scotland’s largest council told the Labour conference that thousands of staff employed by the authority would benefit from an above inflation increase in the living wage.

Gordon Matheson said that 5,000 staff employed by Glasgow City Council and its arms-length bodies will see their hourly rates increase from £7.20 to £7.50 from 1 April 2013.

Councillor Matheson told Labour’s conference yesterday that Glasgow was “leading the way” with the increase that he said was “above inflation”.

The UK’s statutory minimum wage stands at £6.19. However, Glasgow council agreed to pay its staff a higher rate three years ago to tackle poverty pay. Private-sector employers are also encouraged to pay staff the living wage. Living Wage participants include some well-known Glasgow employers, including Tennant Caledonian Brewery, construction firm Balfour Beatty, airport owners BAA, Glasgow Housing Association and SPT.