The UK living wage A trade union perspective

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to explore the value that UK trade unions now place on the living wage. Design/methodology/approach -The author is the TUC's Pay Policy Officer and examines the issue from a practitioner's perspective. Findings -The living wage now has a well-established place within the hierarchy of pay demands adopted by UK trade unions. This continues a tradition of unions supporting norms and regulations as an adjunct to collective bargaining. However, support had to be achieved through a process of negotiation with the broader UK living wage campaign. Practical implications-The paper concludes that there are good prospects for the living wage, and thus for the continued trade union support. Social implications -The living wage standard is seen as having a strong moral basis, which often helps to win agreement with good employers. This results in a steady stream of workers out of in-work poverty. The credit for such pay increases is often shared between employers and trade unions. Originality/value -The paper is written by a practitioner with inside knowledge and experience of the entire course of the living wage campaign in the UK and how it has been adopted and integrated by trade unions.