A UNION member has described North Somerset Council’s decision to not pay its staff the Government’s recommended living wage as a ‘kick in the teeth’ for workers.
Unison’s Helen Thornton joined a protest group outside Weston Town Hall before the council’s budget meeting last week. The Government says the living wage needed to cover basic costs and give workers a ‘decent life’ is £7.85 per hour.
Ms Thornton told councillors: “In our view this year’s budget is yet another attack on the staff who have kept council services running despite the cuts. We think it will have a huge impact on already-low staff morale.”
North Somerset Liberal Democrat leader Mike Bell added: “Other Conservative councils pay the living wage, so I don’t see why we cannot pay it too.
Council leader Nigel Ashton praised his employees for being ‘dedicated.’
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