The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has become accredited as a Living Wage employer. The GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading higher education institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines.
Their Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at GSA, including regular workers employed through third-party suppliers receive the real Living Wage. This rate is higher than the government minimum.
In Scotland, 91% of all jobs pay at least the real Living Wage, this is higher than any other UK nation. Despite this, nearly 1 in 10 jobs still pay less than the real Living Wage which equates to 221,000 jobs.
The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate calculated according to the costs of living. Employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis, recognising the value of their workers and ensuring that a hard day’s work receives a fair day’s pay.
Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 64,000 people in Scotland and put over £485 million extra into the pockets of low paid Scottish workers.
Penny Macbeth, Director of The Glasgow School of Art said:
“The Glasgow School of Art is delighted to officially become a Living Wage employer, and pleased to join a growing group of institutions supporting this vital initiative. The move underlines our commitment to fostering a sustainable and equitable culture that recognises, values and supports our staff during a time of real cost of living challenges.”
Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance said:
“We all need an income that is enough to cover our needs and protect us from poverty, and it’s only right that employers pay a wage that reflects the cost of living. Too many workers in Scotland are paid less than the real Living Wage and, at a time of rising costs, are struggling to stay afloat. The real Living Wage can offer protection from those rising costs.”
“Congratulations to Glasgow School of Art on their Living Wage commitment, I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming Living Wage accredited.”
Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said:
“We’re delighted that Glasgow School of Art has become an accredited Living Wage employer. They join a growing movement of over 3400 employers in Scotland who together want to ensure workers have what they need.
“Employers like Glasgow School of Art are helping to set the standard for employers in Scotland by making sure that workers have what they need to get by, and we hope to see many more employers following their example.”