NEWS RELEASE – Wellington City Councillor, Paul Eagle
29 October 2015

Landmark Living Wage decision about human decency and fairness

Wellington City Councillors last night made a landmark decision in directing its Chief Executive to ensure the preferred supplier for the council’s security services tender implement the living wage for their employees.

Councillor Paul Eagle, Chair of the council committee responsible for social development says the decision marks the next step in the council’s pioneering journey to ensure those delivering core council services are paid a decent wage.

“The fundamental issue here is about human decency and fairness so people who deliver council services in Wellington can live in dignity.”

The decision means Wellington City Council is the first local authority in the country to request a contractor pay the living wage which it has set at $18.40 (and adjusted by CPI).

“For those who think the issue is an ideological "feel good" initiative, I say change your ideology and help us to close the widening pay gap that's harming our society – particularly those most in need.”

Councillor Eagle said it was time to divert attention away from the proposed $100 million Panda Palace.

"I'd rather we spent some of that money on hard working street cleaners, rubbish collectors and other staff on the lowest wages,” he said.

A decision is due on the security services contract by 31 October to enable negotiations to progress.

“Security services are a core council service and I’m reminded that a 27 year old security guard in Auckland died on his first night on the job. Is putting your life on the line worth $14 an hour?”

Cr Eagle says the Living Wage was well canvassed during the 10 year planning process last year, with overwhelming endorsement from Wellingtonians.

“It's said that you can judge a person’s character by how they treat those who can do nothing for them.

“That's how we'll be judged when we decide whether to provide a living wage for the lowest paid people in our community.

“It’s time we moved on from being the “Coolest little capital in the world” to the “Fairest little capital in the world.”

ends

© Scoop Media