WCC living wage costs explode also

Stuff reports:

The price tag for a “living wage” for Wellington council workers is looking increasingly steep, with the prediction ratepayers could stump up an extra $1 million a year.

A Wellington City Council report shows the estimated internal cost of adopting a living wage will be $900,000 a year.

The figure included $575,000 for 502 council staff, and $325,000 for 257 staff across council controlled organisations.

The news comes after Hamilton City Council last week dropped plans for a living wage for its staff, when it was faced with an estimated cost blowout of $643,000 over two years.

The cost of a living wage for all Auckland Council employees has been put at more than $17 million a year.

Last month, the Wellington City Council voted to back the principle of becoming a living wage capital and the council committed $250,000 to implementing the policy by January 1, 2014.

So Councillors are sending ratepayers a bill for $1 million a year, so they feel good.