Hawke's Bay councils show mixed response to Living Wage practices

HBRC staff headquarters. PHOTO / FILE.

Not all local authority workers and contractors in Hawke's Bay are being paid a recognised "Living Wage", and not all councils see the issue as a priority.

The E tū union last week welcomed the Government's decision to move all directly employed workers in the core public service to a wage rate of at least $20.55 – the 2018 Living Wage.

However, speaking to Hawke's Bay Today E tu Living Wage convenor Annie Newman pointed out there were still no "fully accredited" Living Wage councils.

"Auckland is on a pathway to Living Wage for directly employed across council and CCOs, Wellington CC are working toward accreditation in 2018."

In addition, Hutt City on July 1 will pay all directly employed a Living Wage, Christchurch CC was already paying core council workers a Living Wage but not those in council-controlled organisations."

In Hawke's Bay council staff wages, for the most part, are already in line with the $20.55 per hour rate.

Wairoa District Council economic development manager Kitea Tipuna confirmed Wairoa implemented a policy in 2016.

"All our permanent FTE [fulltime equivalents] employees are paid above the Living Wage hourly rate."

Hawke's Bay Regional Council staff members were also paid at the Living Wage rate.

"At Hawke's Bay Regional Council we have no staff paid below the living wage of $20.55 an hour and that includes the Works Group," a Hawke's Bay Regional Council spokeswoman confirmed.

Central Hawke's Bay chief executive Monique Davidson said while the matter had not formally been considered by the council, she confirmed that all fulltime and part-time staff did earn a living wage.

"Some casual staff or student staff earn below the living wage," however.

A spokeswoman for Hastings District Council said about 13 per cent of staff were paid below the voluntary living wage at present but added the council was taking the issue into consideration.

"The council is aware of the Government's recent announcement regarding the living wage and continues to take this into consideration amongst other factors when setting remuneration levels across council."

Napier City Council had not considered the issue.

"Right now, we are prioritising our LTP process and haven't had an opportunity to consider this." chief executive Wayne Jack said.

The Living Wage concept is calculated independently each year by the New Zealand Family Centre Social Policy Unit, and is the hourly wage a worker needs to pay for the necessities of life and participate as an active citizen in the community, reflecting the basic expenses of workers and their families such as food, transportation, housing and childcare.