Tesco 'additional pay investment' welcomed by Usdaw
Retail trade union Usdaw today welcomed the company’s agreement to provide additional support for Tesco shopworkers in the midst of the cost of living crisis.
The company has announced an additional pay increase outside of the annual pay review and a further commitment from the business to bring next year’s pay negotiations forward to the Spring of 2023.
Tesco hourly paid retail and customer fulfilment centre (CFC) staff will receive an additional 20p per hour increase from 13 November, taking the base rate from £10.10 to £10.30 per hour.
That's on top of an increase in July of 5.8 per cent, taking the overall increase this year to 7.85 per cent.
With pay negotiations now due to take place in January of 2023, Tesco employees should also see a third uplift in pay within the 12 months since the last set of pay negotiations.
The investment comes on top of steps that have already been taken to provide access to free food and toiletries during shifts within stores until the end of the year.
Daniel Adams - Usdaw National Officer said: “As the cost of living crisis has deepened, Usdaw has continued to engage with Tesco on what can be done to support employees through this incredibly difficult time.
“Securing additional investment outside of the normal pay cycle is unprecedented within the business and we welcome the fact that the company has engaged positively with the union and recognised the need to respond.
“We also very much welcome the agreement to bring forward the 2023 pay review so that any investment secured through these talks will be paid sooner to the employees who need it the most.
“While the additional investment from the business is welcome, without further, wider interventions from the Government many workers who, not so long ago were being hailed as heroes in the midst of the pandemic, are facing economic catastrophe.
“Usdaw is campaigning for urgent government action on the cost of living crisis and will continue to engage with employers to secure urgent assistance to tackle the hardship that many of our members are facing.”
