THINGS LOOKING UP FOR BUS STAFF WITH OPERATOR’S PLEDGE OVER PAY
First commits to becoming Real Living Wage employer
FIRST Potteries staff will see their wages rise from April 1 as bus operator is to become a Real Living Wage (RLW) employer.
The move means 1,300 workers across the UK will benefit from a pay increase, taking every employee to at least £12 per hour.
These apply to various roles and will include workers employed through third party contractors.
Once accredited, First Bus will become the UK’S largest national bus operator to make this commitment.
The RLW is a voluntary rate of pay commitment, over and above the UK Government’s National Living Wage (NLW) standard, which is mandatory for companies to pay to workers aged 23-plus. With this accreditation, First Bus will ensure every employee in every UK operation is paid at least the Real Living Wage.
The RLW is calculated annually and set independently by the Living Wage Foundation. It is based on actual living costs rather than the median earnings calculations used for NLW. It applies to workers aged 18 and over.
First Bus says it will go above and beyond this to include its apprentices, by raising their wages to the RLW level over the next 18 months.
Managing director Janette Bell said: “We are delighted to be working with the Living Wage Foundation and look forward to achieving our Real Living Wage commitment.
“I am thrilled this will positively impact 1,300 of our colleagues with a pay rise from April 1 and that we are once again demonstrating to our people and the market that we care. Engaged employees encourage customers to travel more often.
“So, by treating our employees well, we are also helping to achieve our mission to get people out of their cars and onto the bus. We want First Bus to be a place where our people feel welcome, can be their true selves and succeed. It is vital that we do all we can to support our colleagues, and this is another important step in our transformation journey.”