Xplore Dundee was celebrating its status as one of Dundee’s largest accredited private sector Living Wage employers during Living Wage Week 2017.
The bus operator gained its accreditation almost two years ago, when parent company National Express Group made the commitment to pay all its UK Bus workers the higher, voluntary rate of pay. This pledge meant it was the first private transport group in the UK to pay the Living Wage Foundation’s Living Wage.
Managing Director Elsie Turbyne said, “In making the decision to become an accredited Living Wage employer, we felt it was important to recognise everyone’s hard work appropriately and to signify our determination to be a good employer to all of our staff, as well as the wider community.
“We would encourage other employers in Dundee to join us in gaining Living Wage accreditation. Paying people a wage which allows them to spend comfortably, to save a little more, or enjoy a higher standard of living is the right thing to do. It’s a small increase which can make a big difference.”
Dundee West MSP Joe Fitzpatrick joined Xplore Dundee managers, representatives of the Poverty Alliance and City Development Convenor Lynn Short at the Dock Street depot last week (Friday 10th November) to discuss the benefits of the Living Wage.
Joe FitzPatrick, MSP for Dundee City West and Scottish Government Minister for Parliamentary Business said: “Through the Scottish Living Wage accreditation initiative, the Scottish Government is helping to ensure peoples’ basic pay meets the cost of living.
“Evidence shows that the Real Living Wage is not just positive for employees. It also makes sense for businesses here in Dundee, having been proven to increase productivity, reduce staff absence, and improve morale. It also sends a strong and valuable signal to customers about fairness."
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance said “We are delighted that Xplore Dundee continue to be committed to paying the Living Wage, especially important in these times of rising costs. It’s important that the staff are properly paid and valued, and receive the real Living Wage.”
Living Wage Scotland
Living Wage Scotland (previously Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative) was established in April 2014 with the aim of increasing the number of employers in Scotland who are recognised for paying their staff the Living Wage.
Xplore Dundee
As Dundee's principal public transport provider, we fulfill around 35,000 passenger journeys every day. Our service is part of the fabric of the city - carrying people where they need to be, and employing more than 300 people.
