Usdaw warmly welcomes rise in minimum wage

Retail union Usdaw has warmly welcomed a 30p rise in the minimum wage as good news for union members and the future growth of a sector employing 2.7 million people.

The latest increase that comes into force in October will take the minimum wage up from £5.05 an hour to £5.35 for workers over 21 with a 20p an hour rise for staff aged 18-21 who will get £4.45.

“This Government has its critics but our members are well aware that this latest increase is due to the principled commitment of Ministers and Labour MPs who supported the idea of a basic living wage,” says Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett. “The introduction of a minimum wage has made a real difference to the living standards of many of our members without harming the massive growth of the retail sector over the last decade.

“There is no evidence that these sorts of increases to the minimum wage have had any negative impact on the retail sector and most retailers pay well above this rate because they recognise well paid staff are absent less and are more productive.

“We'll continue to discuss with employers the impact of the minimum wage seeking raises above that figure, but we would remind employers that this rise will only cost them around £11 a week for an employee working 37 hours.”

Usdaw is particularly pleased that the minimum wage for workers aged 16 and 17 will also go up 30p to £3.30 an hour.

“The minimum wage was only brought in for these very vulnerable workers because Usdaw did its research finding some terrible examples of sheer exploitation of 16 and 17 year olds by employers.

“We took our evidence to the Low Pay Commission who accepted that the extension of the minimum wage to very young workers would offer them some protection so this latest increase is fantastic news for the next generation of retail workers.”

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw's Media Officer, Paul Clarke, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail paul.clarke@usdaw.org.uk.
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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