Hestia Housing and Support workers have succeeded in their campaign to force their employer to pay the London Living Wage, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Thursday 4 March). 

After a five-month campaign, in which union membership more than doubled and continues to grow, Hestia has pledged to increase pay to the Living Wage Foundation London-weighted wage of £21,800.

The Unite campaign was initiated after Hestia claimed in its policy and financial documents that it was paying employees the London Living Wage. This was despite some employees receiving a basic annual salary that was £400 less than the real Living Wage. 

Although Hestia has not formally admitted its mistake, a ‘one off discretionary payment’ equalling underpayment for 2020/21 has been provided to nearly two dozen staff, as well as a permanent pay rise. 

Unite regional officer Steve O’Donnell said: “This campaign, without which the underpayment of staff would never have been exposed or dealt with, is testament to the hard work and solidarity of Hestia’s unionised workforce. 

“It is also a perfect example of the benefits of joining Unite, which the increasing number of members at Hestia would agree with. There is only one way for workers to be safer, stronger and better paid and that is to join a union.”

ENDS

During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.
 
For media enquires ONLY contact Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215.
 
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Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.