A ‘win-win decision’

Unite hailed Unilever UK’s accreditation as a Living Wage employer today (November 2) as a victory for low paid workers on the road to better pay, but warned the move could be undermined if the government presses ahead with controversial cuts to tax credits.

Unite representing over 2,000 workers at Unilever, had been pressing the firm to become a living wage employer for over a year.

Today’s announcement benefits around 500 indirectly employed and outsourced workers including security, canteen and cleaning staff.

It also commits Unilever to working with key suppliers to encourage a Living Wage approach and ensure regular contractors move to paying a living wage in the next 18 months.

‘Welcome move’

“This is a welcome move by Unilever which will benefit low paid workers on the road to better pay,” commented Unite national officer Rhys McCarthy.

“It’s a ‘win, win’ decision which comes after a year-long campaign by Unite and follows on from our work with other employers such as Nestle UK to become living wage employers.

“The announcement by Unilever once again shows the vital role trade unions play in bringing fairness and justice to the workplace. Not only is it a victory for low paid workers, but it highlights how Unite works with employers day in day out to improve the pay and conditions working people across the UK.”

McCarthy continued, “Government ministers pushing through their unnecessary ideological trade union bill should take note and recognise that far from being the ‘enemy within’, trade unions are a force for good.

“George Osborne needs to recognise too, that the benefits felt by those affected by Unilever’s announcement will be short lived if he presses ahead with his disastrous plans to cut tax credits.”