Good prudent management plus a concern for people and local businesses
- yes that's a Labour-led City Council: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11830515

". . . .When the Wellington City Council stopped contracting for
parking wardens and instead employed them directly at a living wage
rate, they saved overall.

"Because previously the contractor was taking the majority of the
benefit from the contract, and not the staff," Lester said.

"We've had greater loyalty from staff, reduced turnover, and increased services, at a lower burden for ratepayers."

Lester said the council was still looking at other contracts which
could be brought in for living-wage pay rates.

Wellington region Living Wage co-ordinator Lyndy McIntyre said the
council was the first to make a commitment to the living wage, which
had given campaigners a head start.

"But we're very confident that other councils will follow Wellington's
lead.

"Around the country, different councils are at different stages of
bringing in the living wage."

McIntyre said Wellington still needed to renegotiate other contracts,
to bring all workers on to the pay rate.

"There are still some workers at Wellington City Council who are
employed through contractors, and on very low rates of pay.

"Some close to the minimum wage, others on minimum wage.

"They've committed to address those on a case-by-case basis, and we
know it needs to be a staged implementation.

"So that could still take years to fully implement." "

Good to see a lead being taken inteh right direction for once.

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