Usdaw backs minimum wage of £12 per hour

Retail trade union Usdaw’s delegates voted unanimously in favour at the union’s Annual Delegate Meeting in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens., thereby backing a call for a minimum wage of at least £12 per hour.

Usdaw is one of the biggest trade unions with most of its members working in the retail sector.

Addressing the conference, Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary said, “Through our Time for Better Pay and our New Deal for Workers campaigns, we have taken £10 per hour into pay negotiations, into Parliament and into meetings with the Low Pay Commission, but more than this, we have won at least £10 an hour in many of our agreements such as Sainsbury’s, Argos, Morrisons, Tesco and Asda Northern Ireland. Securing better pay, changing lives, and winning for our members. 

“I know there are some workplaces where we haven’t quite yet made it to £10. However, it is entirely right to recognise that times have moved on. Now, with inflation soaring, the cost of everyday items increasing and energy bills skyrocketing, the call of £10 per hour needs to be refreshed. 

“So we need to adjust our ask. To once again be bold and set a target that will not only inspire members and reps, but will make a real difference to their lives and their standard of living. £12 an hour as a step towards £15 per hour, is a figure we can build a campaign around. A figure we can take into our pay negotiations, take into Parliament and take into our discussions with the Low Pay Commission.”