Commenting on EDF Energy’s announcement today (Thursday) that the company has become a living wage employer, UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said: “This is good news for all those staff, contractors and suppliers who will benefit from being paid the living wage.
“It shows that companies can pay decent wages and remain competitive and puts down a marker for other firms in the energy sector to meet the same pay standards.”
EDF Energy Chief Executive Officer Vincent de Rivaz CBE said: “I am pleased to announce EDF Energy’s accreditation as a living wage employer.
“Gaining accreditation is part of our approach to responsible business. It means that we will continue to pay a living wage to EDF Energy employees and work with our supply chain partners so that everybody who regularly contributes to EDF Energy can be paid a living wage.
“Paying a living wage is just one way EDF Energy invests in its people, the communities we serve, and the UK economy – whether that’s equipping apprentices with the skills and confidence required to join our industry’s next generation or investing in staff training and development.”
Director of the Living Wage Foundation, Katherine Chapman commented: “We are delighted to welcome EDF Energy, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of electricity, to the living wage movement as an accredited living wage employer; joining over 2,300 responsible employers committed to ending in-work poverty. The voluntary living wage is a robust calculation that reflects the real cost of living; going above the statutory minimums and rewarding a hard day’s work with a fair day’s pay.
“With the government’s minimum wage premium rate for over 25s coming into effect on 1 April, EDF Energy’s decision shows that leading businesses want to go further than the minimum on pay. The living wage is a mark of responsible businesses, and we hope that EDF Energy’s leadership will encourage others in the sector to consider how they can implement the living wage across their organisations.”
All of EDF Energy’s 14,000 employees will now be paid at least the living wage of £8.25 an hour and £9.40 in London.
EDF Energy is working with suppliers to pay the living wage to those who regularly work for the company.
Notes to editors:
- The living wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually by the Living Wage Foundation.
- There are over 2,300 accredited living wage employers.
- All UNISON press release can be found at https://www.unison.org.uk/news/media-centre/
Media contacts:
Alan Weaver T: 0207 121 5555 M: 07939 143310 E: a.weaver@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk