Last week, Newcastle Hospitals Chief Executive Dame Jackie Daniel signed the Living Wage Foundation Accreditation on behalf of the Trust. As a large employer in the region this is very positive for UNISON members, and an example of good practice for other employers.
The Real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate calculated based on the amount that people need to earn to live. It is higher than the minimum wage and is voluntarily paid by over 14,000 UK employers. The current Real Living Wage (announced on 24 October) is £12 per hour, and it is reviewed each year.
UNISON branch secretary Linda Hobson, who has been instrumental in achieving this, commented:
“UNISON has long campaigned for workers to be paid a Real Living Wage and I am proud to have led UNISON Newcastle Hospitals local campaign and to see it become a reality. National pay awards should be set at a level whereby all NHS staff earn above the Real Living Wage.
“During UNISON’s campaign ‘I want to live, not just exist’, we heard from many members regarding the impact of low pay and in work poverty. Members shared that they were constantly fearful over their finances as they were just not earning enough to cover the rising costs of food, transport, rent and heating, let alone have anything left over to save for family days out or holidays. They were feeling guilty their children were not able to attend school events or trips out with their friends due to the cost.
“Pay rates below the Real Living Wage are insufficient to afford the basic essentials or to live healthy lives, this is why I am pleased that as an organisation we have worked together to implement the Real Living Wage to tackle in work poverty and future proof pay for our staff.
The Trust becoming an accredited living wage employer will go some way to address in-work poverty to ensure all staff and their families can live in dignity. It will also set Newcastle Hospitals apart as an employer that values its staff.”
Newcastle Hospitals Chief Executive Dame Jackie Daniel said:
“I was very proud to sign the Living Wage Foundation Accreditation … This accreditation is the culmination of a great deal of hard work, which included us committing to the principle of this pay rate in March 2023 following
discussion with Trade Unions representing staff. It is an important step in our commitment to support our staff, and a clear example of us putting our values into action.
“All of our staff have faced cost of living squeezes. But those on the lowest Agenda for Change bands, such as some facilities and junior administrative staff, find it toughest to make ends meet. The personal stories we’ve heard from staff struggling to get by are powerful. I’m grateful to Trade Union colleagues for the leading role they’ve played in this work, including Staff Side Chair Linda
Hobson.
“Having a good, secure job provides more than just income. It gives people greater certainty and security, and it helps people feel valued and confident.
This isn’t just the right thing to do – it also makes business sense. Recruiting and retaining staff is always a challenge: evidence shows that commitments like this help. Staff who are paid a fair rate have higher morale and are less likely to be sick. Our latest action builds on other steps we’ve taken in recent years to increase inclusion and staff support.”
UNISON will be continuing our work on this issue to increase the number of employers in the region who have Living Wage Foundation Accreditation.