Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the company’s additional
support for Sainsbury’s and Argos shopworkers in the midst of a
cost-of-living crisis.
127,000 hourly paid store staff will see the minimum rate boosted
to £11 per hour from February this year and £11.95 in London.
The company is also providing access to staple food items during
shifts, along with increased discounts at Sainsbury’s and Argos.
The free food will ensure that staff can have something to eat
while they are at work and the longer and deeper discounts helps
staff plan and manage their budgets.
Dave Gill - Usdaw National Officer
says: “We continue to work closely with Sainsbury’s
on pay and these successive substantial increases make a
significant difference to our members. With the cost of living
continually rising, we have kept open our dialogue with
Sainsbury’s and we are pleased the business has responded so
positively. These unprecedented additional pay awards, along with
free food and additional discount will be appreciated by our
members.
“The scale of the financial challenges facing all workers is
immense and there still needs to be significant interventions
from Government. Even under their plan, energy prices will have
still doubled in six months and look set to go higher. Along with
other prices sky-rocketing the cost of living is simply
unaffordable for far too many workers.
“Usdaw is campaigning for urgent Government action on the cost of
living crisis and we are calling for a National Minimum Wage rate
of at least £12 per hour, as a step towards £15, for all workers
regardless of age. Alongside this, we continue in talks with all
the employers to secure urgent assistance to tackle the hardship
that many of our members are facing.”
