#living-wage

#living-wage

Almost half a million workers are to receive a pay boost after it was announced that the real living wage paid voluntarily by 16,000 UK companies will rise to 13.45 an hour in April. Distinct from the national living wage, which is a statutory minimum, the real living wage is calculated each year based on the cost of essentials, and is paid by more than half of the companies in the FTSE 100.

By the numbers: Marion County's paycheck increase brought Indy's average weekly wages to $1,779, or around $137 more a week than last year's average pay, per BLS' preliminary numbers. In Hamilton County, average weekly wages rose 2.6%, or around $38, to $1,476. Hendricks County wages rose 2.2%, or around $35, to $1,083. Caveat: The data tracks where people earn their money, not where they live.

The study concludes that NYC security guards earn a median income of $40,311, less than 40% of the city's Area Median Income, even though 84.7% of the guards work full-time and 88.7% work the full year. On average, the guards earn a median hourly wage of $20.29, but the report finds that about half earn even less.

SmartAsset found that Massachusetts is the most expensive state for a family of four to live comfortably. A Massachusetts family's income needs to be $313,747 to live comfortably, SmartAsset reported. Last year, a four-person household needed an income of $301,184 to do so. Meanwhile, the most expensive state for a single person to live comfortable is Hawaii with a $124,467 salary needed. For single individuals, Massachusetts is a close second with a yearly income of $120,141 needed.

Well-Paid Maids provides a starting wage of $27 per hour for cleaning staff plus full benefits, demonstrating the viability of a living-wage business model.

The walkout, which union leaders say is the first in Fenway Park's 113-year history, follows more than a year of contract negotiations and months of escalating frustration over pay, job security, and automation.