Fans, local MPs, councillors, faith leaders (including the Bishop of Salford) have sent a joint open letter to Manchester City and Manchester United urging them to pay the Living Wage to their match day staff.This unprecedented joint appeal comes ahead of the huge Manchester Derby on the 25 October at Old Trafford.
The letter was a joint initiative by the Greater Manchester Living Wage Campaign, the Man City Fans Living Wage Campaign, the Man Utd Fans Living Wage Campaign and Kate Green MP -Stretford and Urmston.
It’s believed that hundreds of match day staff working at both United and City are currently paid less than the Living Wage, some earn as little as the National Minimum Wage of just £6.70 per hour.
The Living Wage (currently £7.85 per hour) is the amount that independent experts say is the bare minimum needed for a basic standard of living and to avoid poverty. A voluntary rate, it is set annually by the Living Wage Foundation, and differs from the Government’s “National Living Wage” because it is based on the cost of living. At time of writing the rate outside London is £7.85 per hour, but the new rate will be announced on Monday 2nd November.
The letter praises both clubs for the great work they do in the community and urges them to build on this work by becoming ‘accredited’ Living wage employers.
Kate Green said:
“Ahead of this weekend’s Derby, it’s great that football fans and community leaders from across our great city have put aside sporting rivalries and come together to show support for the Living Wage.”
“Many people in Stretford and Urmston work at the clubs on match days. Many are employed by contractors who don’t have to pay the Living Wage. That’s why I’m calling on both Manchester City and Manchester United, both great clubs with a fantastic record of supporting the local community, to become accredited Living Wage employers to ensure all staff are paid at least £7.85 per hour.
“Everyone is entitled to a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. With Living Wage Week coming up I will continue to campaign for fair wages for all, across Manchester and the rest of the country.”
Tom Skinner, Coordinator of the Greater Manchester Living Wage Campaign said:
“Manchester is leading the way with Living Wage Employers emerging all over the city, but our football clubs are dragging their feet. We call on Manchester City and United to show how important their match-day staff are, pay up and commit to becoming Living Wage Employers.”
