20 Feb 2016

Tauranga Council rejects proposal to pay staff living wage.

1:56 pm on 20 February 2016

The country's largest union says the Tauranga City Council has missed a chance to set an example, by rejecting a proposal to pay its staff the living wage.

The council this week voted against paying its staff at least $19.25 an hour, which would cost it about $3.2 million a year.

The Wellington City Council last year decided in favour of such a move.

Public Service Association national secretary Glenn Barclay said he was deeply disappointed Wellington's example had not been followed, but he was optimistic more councils will decide to pay the living wage.