Retail union calls for higher minimum wage as inflation hits workers

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
May 3, 2022

A major UK union is calling for retailers to now pay a minimum wage of at least £12 per hour, as recent pay rises fail to offset rocketing inflation.

Retail union Usdaw wants all companies to raise the base level as a step towards £15, CityAM reported. 
 
Despite several large employers including supermarkets Tesco and Sainsbury’s having hiking wages for store and warehouse staff, Usdaw said this was not enough as household costs continue to rise.

Supermarket giant Tesco will raise hourly wages by 5.8% from £9.55 to £10.10 this summer, with a 68p premium for London workers.
 
Sainsbury’s also said it will invest £100 million into staff pay, with the basic hourly pay of at least £10. Pay for Sainsbury’s and sister brand Argos store workers is rising to £11.05 for inner and outer London.

However, the union said this was still far from ideal. In a vote at the union’s annual delegate meeting in Blackpool this weekend, its delegates voted unanimously to up the union’s ask from £10 an hour previously.
 
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “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.”