Stockport Labour Group celebrated on Thursday evening (25th April) after Stockport Council agreed to back calls for a Living Wage to be adopted for Council staff.
The Full Council Meeting saw a Labour motion calling for the Living Wage of £7.45 per hour to be paid to Council staff debated, before an amended version of the motion received unanimous support from all councillors.
The lowest paid Council workers will now see a pay rise of over £2,000, making work pay and meaning a person’s wage covers the actual cost of living.
Labour councillor Alex Ganotis, who moved the motion at Full Council, said: “I’m really pleased that we have been able to deliver the Living Wage to help low paid workers. We’ll now take part in discussions about how we can lead the charge for the Living Wage to be paid to all Council staff, not just those directly-employed by the Council.
“The idea behind a Living Wage is very simple, that a person should be paid enough to live decently and to adequately provide for their family. We’ve taken a step closer to that tonight and I’m delighted.”
The amended motion passed by Full Council agreed to abolish the lowest pay points in the Council as soon as possible. An all-party ‘Task and Finish’ Group will also be set up to consider the further implementation of a Living Wage policy, including discussion about how the Council’s ‘outside bodies’ like Solutions SK can achieve the Living Wage.