Morrisons is expected to introduce a company-wide pay change for shopfloor workers later this year, subject to approval from union members. The move would see hourly rates rise beyond the current national living wage level for many employees.
The proposal affects around 45,000 Usdaw members who are taking part in a ballot on the offer. According to Retail Week, the details were revealed in an internal document outlining the planned increases for customer assistants and other hourly-paid workers.
A Staged Pay Rise for Morrisons Employees
The supermarket increased pay for store and warehouse workers to £12.71 an hour on 30 March, matching the national living wage for employees aged 21 and over. The new offer would introduce further rises during the year, with different stages before reaching the proposed October rate.
Under the plan, customer assistant pay would rise to £12.81 an hour, backdated to 30 March. The base rate for all hourly workers would then move to £13 in July before reaching £13.11 in October, if the agreement is approved.
The proposed changes come after a dispute between Morrisons and Usdaw over pay arrangements. The supermarket had previously faced criticism from the union after deciding not to offer an increase above the national living wage.
According to the information reported by Retail Week, the pay offer is now being considered by union members through a formal voting process. The outcome of that ballot will determine whether the proposed changes go ahead.
The UK national living wage for workers aged 21 and over rose by 4.1% to £12.71 in April. At the same time, the minimum wage for workers aged between 18 and 20 increased by 8.5% to £10.85.
Morrisons Faces Wider Financial Pressures
Morrisons said earlier that its decision to keep pay at the minimum level was linked to several financial pressures affecting the business. The supermarket pointed to £200 million of unexpected price increases introduced in April, including changes to employer National Insurance contributions.
The company has also reduced its store presence in recent years. According to the report, Morrisons closed 17 smaller Morrisons Daily stores last year, contributing to a total of 103 sites closing during 2025, including cafés and pharmacies.
Despite those pressures, the retailer has also focused on lowering prices for customers. Morrisons announced reductions across its Savers range, covering food and household products, as part of efforts to offer better value amid rising household costs linked to the Iran war.
The possible move to a £13.11 hourly rate represents a significant change in the supermarket’s approach to staff pay after a period of disagreement with the union. The final decision will depend on the response from Usdaw members and whether the proposed agreement receives approval.
