USDAW - Pay Review Update

I am pleased to update you on the progress of our 2024 pay review following our discussions with USDAW this week. 

As a result USDAW are fully recommending our proposals, in the context of the current financial constraints of the business and affordability. Despite these challenges we have been able to agree above inflation increases for all groups and maintain a differential to the National Minimum Wage (NMW), working to continuously improve the pay of our colleagues.

The offer is as follows:

• A minimum rate of pay for all hourly rate colleagues on career framework Level 2 (EYA/Cleaners/Kitchen Assistants/Apprentices/Trainee Travel Advisor) of £11.47 (9.5% increase) effective from 1^st April 2024

• Overall Increase of 8.3% for all hourly rate colleagues anchored to NMW level 3 and above maintaining a differential to NMW, minimum rate of £11.50 effective from 1^st April 2024

• Store/Nursery/Branch managers will receive up to 4.5%, depending on their position within the operational bands

• Central teams/Support Services colleagues will receive up to 4%, depending on their position against their recognised pay band and the market data for their roles

This means over half our colleagues will receive an average of 8.3%, with our lowest paid colleagues receiving the highest percentage increase from April 2024.

In addition, we have also committed to completing a further review of Store/Nursery/Branch Managers pay working collaboratively with USDAW and Managers during 2024.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank our Union reps and our partners in USDAW for their ongoing support over the last year in working with the Society to benefit our colleagues.

USDAW will complete the ballot electronically and will be contacting members directly by email. If you have not recently provided the Society with an up-to-date email address, it is advisable that you contact USDAW directly on 0161 224 2804 or via email records@usdaw.org.uk to update your personal contact details.  

As soon as I have the response from the ballot, I will confirm the outcome to you. Thank you again for all the hard work you do on behalf of the Society.

Claire Foster

Chief Operating Officer – HR – Centres of Excellence