UK
Usdaw secures 9% pay increase at Sainsbury’s, bringing staff up to Real Living Wage

Chris Jarvis 13 January 2024 


Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the announcement that staff pay is increasing to at least £12 per hour across Sainsbury’s and Argos. Effective from March 204, this 9% increase means that Sainsbury’s workers have had a 50% pay increase since 2018.

£12 per hour and £13.15 for staff in London, makes Sainsbury’s the largest supermarket to pay colleagues the Real Living Wage nationally as well as the London Living Wage. This will give staff an extra £1,910 a year nationally and £2,290 a year in London. The investment of £200 million, brings the three-year total investment in pay to over £500 million.

In addition to the pay increases during recent years, Sainsbury’s has provided staff with free food during shifts and increased staff discount of 15% at Sainsbury’s every Friday and Saturday and 15% at Argos every payday. This Christmas, all staff received a voucher to earn 4 times Nectar points on their big Christmas shop, as well as a 20% discount at Sainsbury’s during Christmas week.

Bally Auluk – Usdaw National Officer said: “The continuing strong working relationship between Usdaw and Sainsbury’s has resulted in an inflation busting pay award of over 9%, despite inflation falling, and following on from the significant pay increases over the previous couple of years. The current cost of living is still on the rise which is why Usdaw is very pleased the business has taken this on board during our consultations and responded in such a positive manner, which includes continuing to offer free food and additional discount.”

Simon Roberts – Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s said: “Our colleagues do a brilliant job delivering for our customers every day and at the same time they are continuing to face the rising costs of living. So, in addition to investing to keep our prices low for customers, I’m delighted to confirm an industry leading pay increase again this year for all our hourly paid store colleagues. At Sainsbury’s we will be increasing pay by 9.1% to £12 per hour, taking our investment into colleague pay to more than £500 million over three years. For a full time colleague, this is an extra £1,910 a year and this increase is well ahead of inflation and the government’s 2024 national living wage of £11.44.

“We continue to lead our industry in the level of reward and benefits we provide for our people and this remains a clear priority for us at Sainsbury’s. We believe well rewarded, engaged colleagues deliver the best service and attracting and retaining the best talent will be crucial to our success in delivering the next phase of our business strategy.”