Next we want a living wage, say protesters (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Next we want a living wage, say protesters
7:50am Tuesday 11th December 2012 in News
Members of the GMB Union protesting outside the Next store in Swindon over low pay for its staff
FLAGS and banners were raised in the town centre yesterday as demonstrators took to the streets to protest about wages at Next.
Members of GMB union were outside the Regent Street store claiming the company needs to increase the wages of staff from the national minimum wage of £6.19 per hour to a living wage of £7.45.
A spokesman for Next, however, denied the claims that they were not paying the living wage.
Carole Vallelly, organiser of GMB in Swindon and Wiltshire, said: “GMB have been carrying out protests outside Next stores up and down the country.
“Next expect their profits to be up to £620m for the year up to January 2013.
“Next recently advertised a job for as low as £4.42 per hour, and are only paying £2.65 to apprentices.
“We think it is only fair they share their profits with their employees.
“By paying staff minimum wage or less, this will put an unnecessary burden on welfare in that employee incomes are subsidised by the taxpayer through working and family tax credits.
“It could be seen as the taxpayer subsiding Next profits.
“If Next raised wages for all staff by £1 per hour, the company would still make profits in excess of £550m per year.
“People I have been talking to are very supportive of the campaign for a living wage. Paying £7.45 an hour isn’t a lot to ask.
“GMB are holding regular demonstrations against Next across the country, until they do the decent thing and pay their staff a minimum living wage.”
About 10 GMB union members were outside the store yesterday.
The living wage is a benchmark and is not a legal minimum level of pay, like the national minimum wage.
The minimum wage for apprentices is currently £2.65, for under 18s it is £3.68, for 18 to 20-year-olds it is £4.98, and £6.19 for people over the age of 21.
A Next spokesman said: “Next does pay a living wage, which is why it has over 30 applications for every store vacancy.
“Next’s warehouse staff receive an average of £9.16, including bonus, for every hour worked.”
Staff inside the town centre store said they were unable to comment.
For more information visit www.gmb-southern.org.uk.
Comments(43)
Davey Gravey
says...
8:18am Tue 11 Dec 12
LordAshOfTheBrake
says...
8:26am Tue 11 Dec 12
house on the hill
says...
8:30am Tue 11 Dec 12
swindondad
says...
8:35am Tue 11 Dec 12
With this in mind it is no supprise that they are campianing for higher wages.
However Next are doing nothing wrong, they are paying wages at or above the minimums for all types of workers. If the wages they offered where not fair people would not be queueing up for them.
baldy01
says...
8:55am Tue 11 Dec 12
StillPav
says...
8:59am Tue 11 Dec 12
If people want payrises then they need to prove to their employer that they add more value to the company than their current salary reflects.
LordAshOfTheBrake
says...
9:05am Tue 11 Dec 12
My comment was tongue in cheek as these people only seem to be targeting Next.
I full accept that business are there to make money and will do what they can to keep costs low.
This is exactly the problem with tax credits; where employers know that workers can get a "top up" from the government by paying low wages whilst maximising profit for shareholders.
Even Angrier Monkey
says...
9:23am Tue 11 Dec 12
.
Welcome to GCSE economics.
.
Good luck getting Next to pay shop workers an extra £2,620 per year when they dont have to - you're going to need it.
Davidsyrett
says...
9:41am Tue 11 Dec 12
The Real Librarian
says...
9:42am Tue 11 Dec 12
Bobfm , wrote:He's more of a a hardcore Marxist anti semite than a "communist."
It's a very good point. Companies making huge profits but paying the lowest possible wages (and often part time hours to avoid employer's NI contributions) can mean the taxpayer (ie you) are paying extra in the form of tax credits. Higher wages mean higher tax income to the Treasury. Cue: I 2 Could B to slag of unions, accuse anyone who wants fairness of being a "leftie" and that Andy union guy in the photo of being a communist! Yawn, no need Olive, I've done it for you son x x
I 2 Could B
says...
10:04am Tue 11 Dec 12
Did the staff at Next actually want, or ask, the GMB to 'protest' on their behalf? It looks like Andy Newman and Chris Watts taking a day off to get their faces in the Advertiser - while at the same time being quite happy to take union subs from people on low wages.
When it comes to election time, the two people mentioned above have stood as potential councillors. These articles serve as a constant reminder of what their agenda is and what they're really all about.
PaulD
says...
10:07am Tue 11 Dec 12
Robh
says...
10:21am Tue 11 Dec 12
Admittedly many large stores try to keep costs down to keep prices competitive. They either pay low wages or fiddle the tax man or both.
It is a bit like buses etc. If we want to keep high street shops we must be prepared to use them more.
Cyanide
says...
10:26am Tue 11 Dec 12
PaulD wrote:Very ignorant comment. I'm earning more than all my friends who have degrees and I don't have an A-level to my name.
if people want to earn more, then perhaps they should have paid attention during the 11 years of free education they got at the expense of this country
On the opposite end, there are a lot of people who have degrees etc who simply can't get work in their fields and are working in such jobs.
Morsey
says...
10:30am Tue 11 Dec 12
Same goes for those greedy utility companies that the b***h Thatcher and her gang flogged off from the nation ... the eventual owners of your gas and electricity are forcing ordinary people to seek a little bit more, if they can get anyone to listen?
The world's gone mad, there are so many millionaires out there now, and some probably at the expense of this country paying top-up benefits to underpaid employees on part time hours!
A.Baron-Cohen
says...
10:38am Tue 11 Dec 12
The great majority of the readers will accept the fact that Wealth is concentrating more and more into the hands of fewer and richer people whilst we common people have had our Labour and Union rights destroyed.
In the 1980's we were sold the dream that we would all be better off without the Unions, well as it happened it is the rich and powerful that mostly profited and now we are in the street having to beg for a £1.26 raise.
Good luck to the GMB and the Next employees
StillPav
says...
11:38am Tue 11 Dec 12
Morsey wrote:Interesting comments re: utility companies. It's a shame (for you) that in reality Britain has some of the cheapest retail gas and electricity prices in Europe.
Poor pay for workers ... or massive net company profit = more cash for shareholders to spend on their yachts at the increasing number of worldwide marinas. Same goes for those greedy utility companies that the b***h Thatcher and her gang flogged off from the nation ... the eventual owners of your gas and electricity are forcing ordinary people to seek a little bit more, if they can get anyone to listen? The world's gone mad, there are so many millionaires out there now, and some probably at the expense of this country paying top-up benefits to underpaid employees on part time hours!
http://www.energy.eu
/
Don't let the facts get in the way of a good ol' anti-Thatcher rant though.
SpeakUp
says...
12:27pm Tue 11 Dec 12
PaulD
says...
12:59pm Tue 11 Dec 12
SpeakUp wrote:I don't doubt it, it's the modern way as they will get more publicty in the media than from passers-by
This was not a protest, it was a photocall. They were there for literally a few minutes - I saw them arrive, be photographed and leave again. Bizarre.
Old Town
says...
1:39pm Tue 11 Dec 12
A.Baron-Cohen wrote:Hmmm - Next employees ? Couldn't see any of them around !
In 1960s a CEO was earning as much as 20 of employees (average), nowadays a CEO earns as much as 200 employees!
The great majority of the readers will accept the fact that Wealth is concentrating more and more into the hands of fewer and richer people whilst we common people have had our Labour and Union rights destroyed.
In the 1980's we were sold the dream that we would all be better off without the Unions, well as it happened it is the rich and powerful that mostly profited and now we are in the street having to beg for a £1.26 raise.
Good luck to the GMB and the Next employees
WE ARE better off without the unions - the sooner they are made illegal the better ! The amount of money they cost companies and the country with their petty nonsense is criminal !
As for the looney leftie spouting utter and total nonsense about Thatcher - at least TRY to come up with some FACTS rather than the usual boring rhetoric which doesn't actually stand up to scrutiny .........
house on the hill
says...
2:00pm Tue 11 Dec 12
I 2 Could B
says...
2:06pm Tue 11 Dec 12
SpeakUp wrote:It's not bizarre at all.
This was not a protest, it was a photocall. They were there for literally a few minutes - I saw them arrive, be photographed and leave again. Bizarre.
The likes of Andy Newman and Chris Watts have to justify the money they take from low paid workers, in the form of union subscriptions, some how.
These kinds of photo opps are ideal for them. If you look at the photo above, it's GMB 'officials' and the same 4 or 5 'members' they're photographed with wherever they're 'protesting'.
I wonder, did any of the Next staff either want or request this 'protest' outside their premises? I very much doubt it.
Bobfm ,
says...
2:29pm Tue 11 Dec 12
I 2 Could B wrote:I hope the electorate remember their agenda too - ie fairness, a living wage and companies not sharing their excessive profits with those who helped them earn it.
The problem with a 'living wage' is that it's a never-ending moving of the goalposts. If everyone suddenly got paid £2,500 more per year, the costs of goods and services would rise accordingly... meaning the 'living wage' would, in real terms, be right back to square one.
Did the staff at Next actually want, or ask, the GMB to 'protest' on their behalf? It looks like Andy Newman and Chris Watts taking a day off to get their faces in the Advertiser - while at the same time being quite happy to take union subs from people on low wages.
When it comes to election time, the two people mentioned above have stood as potential councillors. These articles serve as a constant reminder of what their agenda is and what they're really all about.
And I also hope they rememer you Oliver. That way you'll never get elected.
The Real Librarian
says...
3:14pm Tue 11 Dec 12
Bobfm , wrote:Andy Newman has an agenda.
I 2 Could B wrote: The problem with a 'living wage' is that it's a never-ending moving of the goalposts. If everyone suddenly got paid £2,500 more per year, the costs of goods and services would rise accordingly... meaning the 'living wage' would, in real terms, be right back to square one. Did the staff at Next actually want, or ask, the GMB to 'protest' on their behalf? It looks like Andy Newman and Chris Watts taking a day off to get their faces in the Advertiser - while at the same time being quite happy to take union subs from people on low wages. When it comes to election time, the two people mentioned above have stood as potential councillors. These articles serve as a constant reminder of what their agenda is and what they're really all about.I hope the electorate remember their agenda too - ie fairness, a living wage and companies not sharing their excessive profits with those who helped them earn it. And I also hope they rememer you Oliver. That way you'll never get elected.
Item one, and only, is the furtherence of Andy Newman's interests and the benefit of Andy Newman.
There is no item two.
StillPav
says...
3:56pm Tue 11 Dec 12
house on the hill wrote:No it isn't.
Next is part of the Philip Green empire the Arcadia group which makes hundreds of millions ever year.
Next is a plc in its own right and nothing to do with Arcadia Group.
I 2 Could B
says...
4:18pm Tue 11 Dec 12
Bobfm , wrote:Fairness? Ask Andy Newman what his salary is and what his union fees are... then compare that to the average wage of one of his union's members.
I 2 Could B wrote:I hope the electorate remember their agenda too - ie fairness, a living wage and companies not sharing their excessive profits with those who helped them earn it.
The problem with a 'living wage' is that it's a never-ending moving of the goalposts. If everyone suddenly got paid £2,500 more per year, the costs of goods and services would rise accordingly... meaning the 'living wage' would, in real terms, be right back to square one.
Did the staff at Next actually want, or ask, the GMB to 'protest' on their behalf? It looks like Andy Newman and Chris Watts taking a day off to get their faces in the Advertiser - while at the same time being quite happy to take union subs from people on low wages.
When it comes to election time, the two people mentioned above have stood as potential councillors. These articles serve as a constant reminder of what their agenda is and what they're really all about.
And I also hope they rememer you Oliver. That way you'll never get elected.
Also, it appears that unskilled Next warehouse staff earn c.£10 per hour. How, exactly, is that 'unfair'?
Morsey
says...
5:55pm Tue 11 Dec 12
StillPav wrote:Only because the Labour party, in Government, quashed the Tories attempts to raise VAT on fuel to the 20% level they are trying to base everything taxable on ... of course, their maths is pretty diabolical as we can see only too well? They can only add up in fifths!
Morsey wrote:Interesting comments re: utility companies. It's a shame (for you) that in reality Britain has some of the cheapest retail gas and electricity prices in Europe.
Poor pay for workers ... or massive net company profit = more cash for shareholders to spend on their yachts at the increasing number of worldwide marinas. Same goes for those greedy utility companies that the b***h Thatcher and her gang flogged off from the nation ... the eventual owners of your gas and electricity are forcing ordinary people to seek a little bit more, if they can get anyone to listen? The world's gone mad, there are so many millionaires out there now, and some probably at the expense of this country paying top-up benefits to underpaid employees on part time hours!
http://www.energy.eu
/
Don't let the facts get in the way of a good ol' anti-Thatcher rant though.
Bobfm ,
says...
5:58pm Tue 11 Dec 12
And they aren't unskilled. Forklift truck drivers need a qualification.
But don't let the truth get in the way of your ususal OCD-afflicted rant against the working class.
Make progress
says...
6:09pm Tue 11 Dec 12
As for apprenticeships in general minium wage is more than enough as most 16/17 year olds are work shy, cocky little kids who cost you money to employ & most can't even be bothered to apply never mind turn up each day.
I 2 Could B
says...
6:32pm Tue 11 Dec 12
Bobfm , wrote:Yes, that's right, Next warehouse staff get paid £9.16p/h including their bonus.
No, the warehouse staff get £9.16 (INCLUDING BONUS) - which isnt guaranteed. Their actual wage is just over £7 per hour.
And they aren't unskilled. Forklift truck drivers need a qualification.
But don't let the truth get in the way of your ususal OCD-afflicted rant against the working class.
Nobody mentioned forklift truck drivers, who, for all you know, might get an additional allowance for holding that qualification. And, rather obviously, not all warehouse staff are forklift drivers.
However you might try and portray things from your Marxist angle, £9.16p/h is 23% MORE than the 'living wage' that Andy Newman and Chris Watts - both of whom are not employees of Next - were calling for.
Working in a shop and moaning that the shop owner makes all the money is a bit like the person who sells a winning lottery ticket moaning that it's unfair the ticket holder has more money than them.
Still, people like you can carry on dreaming and protesting all you like. It's actually quite amusing to watch... and notice when absolutely nothing comes of it.
MrAngry
says...
10:44pm Tue 11 Dec 12
Most shareholders are ordinary people investing via their private pensions. Judging by the poor performance of my pension fund, I don't think many companies are making huge profits.
Higher wages now might mean no job later.
SpeakUp
says...
1:15am Wed 12 Dec 12
I 2 Could B wrote:I thought it was disgraceful - they waited for 'Karen' to come out of the store, grabbed a photo, disappeared and duped the Adver into believing this was a genuine protest. Their placards harped on about £4.42 ph when the story makes it clear this in not true for most workers. Anyway, 30 people apply for each vacancy so what's to complain about? If Next pay less than you think you are worth, don't work there - simples. If enough people refuse to apply, they'll up the anti. As it is, they will pay what they can get away with - don't see the problem, but then I would never join the comrades at GMB who can't even give up a lunch hour to support a cause they claim to support. Pathetic and just out to promote their own name rather than support their members, in my opinion. Perhaps someone from GMB would like to reply with how many current GMB members work at Next and have actually complained about their wages? I won't hold my breath.
SpeakUp wrote:It's not bizarre at all.
This was not a protest, it was a photocall. They were there for literally a few minutes - I saw them arrive, be photographed and leave again. Bizarre.
The likes of Andy Newman and Chris Watts have to justify the money they take from low paid workers, in the form of union subscriptions, some how.
These kinds of photo opps are ideal for them. If you look at the photo above, it's GMB 'officials' and the same 4 or 5 'members' they're photographed with wherever they're 'protesting'.
I wonder, did any of the Next staff either want or request this 'protest' outside their premises? I very much doubt it.
Bobfm ,
says...
10:23am Wed 12 Dec 12
I 2 Could B wrote:Are you a bit thick? The bonus isn't guaranteed so they don't earn that amount.
Bobfm , wrote:Yes, that's right, Next warehouse staff get paid £9.16p/h including their bonus.
No, the warehouse staff get £9.16 (INCLUDING BONUS) - which isnt guaranteed. Their actual wage is just over £7 per hour.
And they aren't unskilled. Forklift truck drivers need a qualification.
But don't let the truth get in the way of your ususal OCD-afflicted rant against the working class.
Nobody mentioned forklift truck drivers, who, for all you know, might get an additional allowance for holding that qualification. And, rather obviously, not all warehouse staff are forklift drivers.
However you might try and portray things from your Marxist angle, £9.16p/h is 23% MORE than the 'living wage' that Andy Newman and Chris Watts - both of whom are not employees of Next - were calling for.
Working in a shop and moaning that the shop owner makes all the money is a bit like the person who sells a winning lottery ticket moaning that it's unfair the ticket holder has more money than them.
Still, people like you can carry on dreaming and protesting all you like. It's actually quite amusing to watch... and notice when absolutely nothing comes of it.
Why do you loath the working class so much? The irony being it must be borne from self-loathing as, having met you, it's clear you are working class yourself.
I 2 Could B
says...
10:52am Wed 12 Dec 12
Bobfm says...
Are you a bit thick? The bonus isn't guaranteed so they don't earn that amount.
But, sadly for your little rant, they very much DO earn that amount. The bonus may not be 'guaranteed' (do you actually have evidence that it isn't?) but it's available and will be paid if targets are met. So, yes, they do get paid it. Not much point having a bonus if nobody ever gets paid it as nobody would bother trying to reach targets. Therefore, I would suggest it's you that's a little hard of thinking.
And, for what it's worth, you haven't met me at all. Like another somewhat 'challenged' contributor here, you're very much confused about certain things.
Bobfm ,
says...
11:08am Wed 12 Dec 12
I 2 Could B
says...
12:37pm Wed 12 Dec 12
itsamess3
says...
6:27pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Clearly Next are paying a fair wage in an increasingly difficult economic climate-unions are still living in a world of make believe and trying to agitate a non existent situation.
Bobfm ,
says...
7:55pm Wed 12 Dec 12
I 2 Could B wrote:Actually I'm very clearly not confused. You're a typical keyboard warrior - a really rather sad and pathetic individual in real life. A rather nerdy IT geek who will never get elected.
As I said before, you're somewhat confused. It's actually very funny.
Oliver_Donachie
says...
10:57pm Wed 12 Dec 12
I am Oliver Donachie, I have one log on account called Oliver Donachie.
I am not 1 2 Could B and in fact any cursory glance over historical stories will show you a person posting using that name has been attacking me in an almost psychotic manner many times.
But the fact that BobFm and others have come full circle and are now accusing each other of being me is endlessly amusing, it seems that the web of trolling is so confusing even the king trolls have given up.
I am Oliver Donachie, I dont hide behind pseudonyms nor do I post in under any other name.
Carry on.
Empty Car Park
says...
11:40pm Wed 12 Dec 12
I 2 Could B
says...
9:19am Thu 13 Dec 12
Bobfm , wrote:Oh, the irony.
I 2 Could B wrote:Actually I'm very clearly not confused. You're a typical keyboard warrior - a really rather sad and pathetic individual in real life. A rather nerdy IT geek who will never get elected.
As I said before, you're somewhat confused. It's actually very funny.
faatmaan
says...
8:51pm Sun 16 Dec 12
Bobfm , says...
8:17am Tue 11 Dec 12
Cue: I 2 Could B to slag of unions, accuse anyone who wants fairness of being a "leftie" and that Andy union guy in the photo of being a communist!
Yawn, no need Olive, I've done it for you son x x