First becoming Real Living Wage employer
First Bus is to become a real Living Wage (RLW) employer from 1 April 2024.
The move means that 1,300 colleagues across the UK will benefit from a rise in wages in line with the new commitment, bringing every employee to at least £12 per hour in pay rates. These colleagues are spread across the UK business in various roles and will include workers employed through third-party contractors.
Once accredited, First Bus is expected to become the UK’s largest national bus operator to make this commitment.
Today’s announcement is the latest step change as part of an ongoing business transformation at First Bus, which is putting colleagues and customers at the heart of everything it does.
The operator is also set to raise the wages of its apprentices to the RLW level over the next 18 months.
“We want First Bus to be a place where our people feel welcome, can be their true selves and succeed” – First Bus Managing Director, Janette Bell
First Bus Managing Director, Janette Bell, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Living Wage Foundation and look forward to achieving our real Living Wage commitment. I am thrilled this will positively impact 1,300 of our colleagues with a pay rise from April 1st and that we are once again demonstrating to our people and the market that we care.
“Engaged employees encourage customers to travel more often. So, by treating our employees well, we are also helping to achieve our mission to get people out of their cars and onto the bus.
“We want First Bus to be a place where our people feel welcome, can be their true selves and succeed. It is vital that we do all we can to support our colleagues, and this is another important step in our transformation journey.”
“First Bus will join more than 3,400 Scottish employers and 14,000 Living Wage employers across the UK who are committed to always paying their staff a wage in line with the cost of living” – Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager
Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager, said: “We’re delighted that First Bus will be accrediting in April, giving a pay rise to hundreds of employees. First Bus will join more than 3,400 Scottish employers and 14,000 Living Wage employers across the UK who are committed to always paying their staff a wage in line with the cost of living. We look forward to welcoming First Bus to the Living Wage movement.”