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Sainsbury's to raise staff pay by 4% Sainsbury's to raise staff pay by 4%
(about 9 hours later)
Sainsbury's has given its shop workers a 4% pay rise, the highest increase for store employees in more than a decade.Sainsbury's has given its shop workers a 4% pay rise, the highest increase for store employees in more than a decade.
It says 137,000 of its workers will see their pay rise from £7.08 an hour to £7.36 from the end of this month.It says 137,000 of its workers will see their pay rise from £7.08 an hour to £7.36 from the end of this month.
The new rate will also apply to its 40,000 workers who are under 25.The new rate will also apply to its 40,000 workers who are under 25.
According to the British Retail Consortium, the median wages for hourly paid workers in the retail industry currently stands at £7.30 an hour.According to the British Retail Consortium, the median wages for hourly paid workers in the retail industry currently stands at £7.30 an hour.
Sainsbury's chief executive Mike Coupe praised the hard work and dedication of his staff.Sainsbury's chief executive Mike Coupe praised the hard work and dedication of his staff.
He said that the company could afford the extra wages.
Mr Coupe also said the company is one of the biggest tax payers in the UK.
"We think we contribute a lot to the exchequer and I think we can more than pay our way," he told BBC Breakfast.
Under plans announced in the Budget, workers aged over 25 in the UK will be paid a minimum of £7.20 an hour from April next year, rising to £9 by 2020. This compares to a minimum wage of £6.50 at present.Under plans announced in the Budget, workers aged over 25 in the UK will be paid a minimum of £7.20 an hour from April next year, rising to £9 by 2020. This compares to a minimum wage of £6.50 at present.
Some retailers, pub groups and care home providers have criticised the move warning it could lead to higher prices, job losses or the closure of some care homes.Some retailers, pub groups and care home providers have criticised the move warning it could lead to higher prices, job losses or the closure of some care homes.
Sainsbury's said its wage increase was "affordable" but didn't disclose the additional cost to its overall wage bill.Sainsbury's said its wage increase was "affordable" but didn't disclose the additional cost to its overall wage bill.
'Long overdue''Long overdue'
So what are standard hourly rates of pay at the other UK main grocers?So what are standard hourly rates of pay at the other UK main grocers?
Tesco already pays its shop workers £7.39 an hour although staff are facing a pay freeze this year.Tesco already pays its shop workers £7.39 an hour although staff are facing a pay freeze this year.
Morrisons says it pays a minimum of £6.83, outside of London and several other locations. It has yet to set its new annual rate.Morrisons says it pays a minimum of £6.83, outside of London and several other locations. It has yet to set its new annual rate.
Asda said its hourly rate of pay is currently £6.89, outside of London, a figure which will increase to £7.00 in October as part of its annual pay review.Asda said its hourly rate of pay is currently £6.89, outside of London, a figure which will increase to £7.00 in October as part of its annual pay review.
The shop worker's union Usdaw welcomed Sainsbury's pay increase.The shop worker's union Usdaw welcomed Sainsbury's pay increase.
"I'm pleased the company has listened to us as significant increases in retail pay is long overdue," said national officer Joanne McGuinness. "We meet with the company every year and make a strong case for decent rewards for staff, particularly around pay, and the new rate of £7.36 is a step in that direction."I'm pleased the company has listened to us as significant increases in retail pay is long overdue," said national officer Joanne McGuinness. "We meet with the company every year and make a strong case for decent rewards for staff, particularly around pay, and the new rate of £7.36 is a step in that direction.
"For the small number of staff not covered by the increase we will make representations to the company to address this issue.""For the small number of staff not covered by the increase we will make representations to the company to address this issue."