Moray SNP News

MORAY COUNCIL TO SEEK LIVING WAGE ACCREDITATION

SNP Councillors have welcomed unanimous cross-party support for the Council to seek Living Wage Accreditation.

The Council’s minority SNP Administration had worked with officers ahead of a report being presented to the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee on the issue.

While the Council has paid its own employees a Living Wage rate for several years, in order to get Living Wage Accreditation the Council must also confirm that staff of all contracted organisations that regularly provide services for the Council must either be paid the Living Wage or have a plan in place to move these staff to the Living Wage. The accreditation body works with organisations to ensure that the criteria are satisfied.

Research shows that the benefits of accreditation are enhanced quality of work, improved loyalty and customer service (fewer complaints), reduced absenteeism, improved retention rates and enhanced general reputation.

Welcoming the Council’s support for the move, the SNP’s Committee Chair, Cllr Aaron McLean, said:

“Payment of the Living Wage has been a key policy for the SNP and one that we have been very pro-active on. It is also backed by several other parties and many organisations in Scotland. I am really pleased that the Committee has unanimously backed the recommendation for the Council to seek full Living Wage Accreditation.

“Getting Accreditation will show that the Council takes seriously the issue of improving pay and conditions for people and while we already pay Living Wage to our own staff it is hugely important that we show leadership and support our partner organisations and contractors to pay the Living Wage to their staff as well. It also demonstrates leadership to other local businesses and organisations.

“Research by respected organisations such as the Living Wage Foundation and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation show clear links between paying the Living Wage and productivity with workers feeling more valued and willing to go the extra mile for their employers.”

SNP Councillor for Buckie, Cllr Sonya Warren, also welcomed the move:

“The Council becoming an Accredited Living Wage Employer is a good way to encourage retention of the workforce, especially people not going to university or college.

“It's great that young people can earn a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. In a traditionally low wage economy like Moray, every move that helps raise the levels of pay is positive both for employees and the wider economy of our region.”