City Airport joins Living Wage Movement

Newham Citizens celebrate as major local employer City Airport goes London Living Wage, joining West Ham, and London Stadium in paying all staff and contractors the higher rate of £10.55 an hour

Living Wage campaigners at Citizens UK today reacted with delight as City Airport confirmed it will accredit with the Living Wage Foundation and pay all staff and contractors a London Living Wage . The airport joins a socially conscious group of large local employers in Newham who pay their all workers a wage independently calculated to meet the cost of living.

The airport employs 2,300 people and already pays all its 650 directly employed staff at least the London Living Wage, but by accrediting with the foundation it will uplift a further 100 workers who are working for third-party contractors.

Transport Hubs like City Airport have been identified as key ‘anchor’ employers in the local economy and by accrediting and uplifting both staff and third party contractors, City Airport will put money back into the pockets of workers who need it most, which in turn will have a positive impact on the local economy . The airport joins a movement of over 5,000 employers who accredit with the Living Wage Foundation and make sure that workers pay rises each year in line with the cost of Living.

Campaigners with Newham Citizens celebrated the news:

Alistair Rooms, Newham Citizens Organiser, said: “The decision from London City Airport to go further than the government minimum and pay the real Living Wage sets the bar for other employers in the borough. It’s not right that many hard-working Newham residents are struggl ing to keep their heads above water financially and the Airport’s paying a London Living Wage will change the lives of their staff for the better . We thank the London City Airport for their commitment and hard work in accrediting with the Living Wage Foundation so quickly.”

Yvonne Wade, Acting Deputy Headteacher at St Bonaventure's School, Newham said: “ We are delighted City Airport has chosen to show leadership in our community and go beyond the Government minimum, paying what is really needed to survive in London – the London Living Wage. It’s important for us for us that our pupils at St Antony’s are the voice of the Living Wage Campaign in Newham. Through our research we found that almost half of the parents in our school community are on less than the L iving W age, that’s why we are tackling low pay in the Newham. We are delighted that have had the chance to step up, show leadership, and have their voices heard. As Christians we are called to service and this was the young people’s way of serving and taking care of their neighbours.”

Olawale Ajibola, a cleaner at London Stadium and Newham Citizens leader said : “I moved onto the London Living Wage last year after my employer London Stadium agreed to pay the London Living Wage. I know from personal experience what a difference this will make to City Airport workers. They’ll be able to breathe easy and afford small luxuries like spending more time with their families and saving up for a holiday.”