Cardiff Bus remains an accredited living wage employer for the fifth year in a row as it continues to pay its 550 members of staff an hourly rate that is above the standard living wage.
The bus operator has shown its support for Living Wage Week, which runs from Monday 9th to Sunday 15th November, as one of 263 accredited employers in Wales who are committed to ensuring staff wages meet the true cost of living and covers everyday needs.
The living wage is an hourly rate of pay calculated by the Living Wage Foundation charity based on what people need to live on. The rate was increased to £9.50 per hour in the UK at the beginning of the week.
Managing Director of Cardiff Bus, Paul Dyer said: “We are proud to be an accredited living wage employer and provide an hourly rate that is above the recommended rate.
“We choose to pay the living wage to ensure all staff receive an income that meets the real cost of living.
“Our employees have worked tirelessly during the Coronavirus pandemic as key workers, and we will continue to support and thank them with fair pay.”
Research conducted by Cardiff Business School has demonstrated the significant impact of the Living Wage campaign since the start of the pandemic. In the UK over 250,000 workers have benefitted from an additional
£200 million since the start of lockdown, including 130,000 key workers.
Meanwhile, latest research by the Living Wage Foundation shows that there are still 5.5 million jobs, 20% of all employees, still being paid less than the real Living Wage in the UK.
Living Wage Foundation Director, Laura Gardiner said: “During Living Wage Week it’s right that we celebrate those employers that have done right by workers and families, providing them with much needed security and stability even when times are hard. These are the employers that will allow us to recover and rebuild from this crisis.”
