R
Ray Stafford
Trade only plumbing and heating merchant, Williams & Co, has announced the implementation of the Living Wage for all its workforce.
From 1[SUP]st[/SUP] October, the company, which has 28 branches in the South East, guarantees that all employees and on-site contracted staff will be paid at least the poverty-busting standard.
The Living Wage is a voluntary code for employers, run by the Living Wage Foundation. It is currently set at £8.80 per hour in London, and £7.65 per hour elsewhere in the country. It is founded on the principle that work should be the most effective route out of poverty.
Managing Director, Ray Stafford said:
“Our staff add an enormous amount of value, and it is only right that this should be recognised. Introducing the living wage is a key part of our long term strategy of being the premium employer in our sector.
For too long, certain job functions in this industry have been dogged by low pay and low expectations. I would challenge all our competitors to look at their pay policies, particularly for entry level staff, and ask themselves if they would want their children to come into our industry? We think we are the first merchant to sign up for the Living Wage, but I hope we won’t be the last”
London Mayor, Boris Johnson commented on the Living Wage:
“By building motivated, dedicated workforces, the living wage helps businesses to boost the bottom line and ensures that hard-working people who contribute to success can enjoy a decent standard of living”.
“Living Wage Week” from 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] – 8[SUP]th[/SUP] November will feature a range of initiatives aimed at celebrating companies already participating in the Living Wage programme, and encouraging others to join.
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Its not a lot of money is it, £7.65 per hour? Or even £8.80 when you consider the cost of living in London. Next time you are in one of the national merchants, ask the branch manager to consider lobbying his head office to sign up to this worthwhile scheme. The poor sod driving a forklift in the warehouse, or the van driver dropping your gear off, or the youngster doing the filing in the office might just thank you for it.
Cheers
Ray
From 1[SUP]st[/SUP] October, the company, which has 28 branches in the South East, guarantees that all employees and on-site contracted staff will be paid at least the poverty-busting standard.
The Living Wage is a voluntary code for employers, run by the Living Wage Foundation. It is currently set at £8.80 per hour in London, and £7.65 per hour elsewhere in the country. It is founded on the principle that work should be the most effective route out of poverty.
Managing Director, Ray Stafford said:
“Our staff add an enormous amount of value, and it is only right that this should be recognised. Introducing the living wage is a key part of our long term strategy of being the premium employer in our sector.
For too long, certain job functions in this industry have been dogged by low pay and low expectations. I would challenge all our competitors to look at their pay policies, particularly for entry level staff, and ask themselves if they would want their children to come into our industry? We think we are the first merchant to sign up for the Living Wage, but I hope we won’t be the last”
London Mayor, Boris Johnson commented on the Living Wage:
“By building motivated, dedicated workforces, the living wage helps businesses to boost the bottom line and ensures that hard-working people who contribute to success can enjoy a decent standard of living”.
“Living Wage Week” from 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] – 8[SUP]th[/SUP] November will feature a range of initiatives aimed at celebrating companies already participating in the Living Wage programme, and encouraging others to join.
<press release ends>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its not a lot of money is it, £7.65 per hour? Or even £8.80 when you consider the cost of living in London. Next time you are in one of the national merchants, ask the branch manager to consider lobbying his head office to sign up to this worthwhile scheme. The poor sod driving a forklift in the warehouse, or the van driver dropping your gear off, or the youngster doing the filing in the office might just thank you for it.
Cheers
Ray
