17 May 2013

Council votes to look at higher wages for staff

5:58 am on 17 May 2013

Wellington City Council has unanimously voted to look into paying higher wages to its staff.

Dozens of campaigners from Living Wage Aotearoa met city councillors on Thursday morning, asking them to endorse the movement and adopt wages of at least $18.40 per hour for all council workers and to encourage local businesses to do this also.

Mayor Celia Wade Brown said the council would investigate the supposed benefits of boosting wages, such as lower turnover and higher productivity.

Ms Wade Brown said extra money needed to boost wages may need to come from ratepayers.

However, councillor Paul Eagle said a better solution would be to cut the salaries of senior managers and councillors.

Mr Eagle said adopting 'living wages' for council workers will not cause rate rises.