WITH a turnover of £220,000 and only one grant of £16,000 from Glasgow City Council, balancing the books is not always easy at Govan’s Pearce Institute.
However, despite being a third sector organisation “living hand to mouth”, the firm decided to become accredited living wage employers.
“Previously manual workers here were on the minimum wage and we felt that was unfair, given the current social climate,” explained executive officer Archie Biggins. “We asked the staff for feedback and it was felt that paying the living wage was the best way forward. It ensures that people enjoy coming to work because they are getting a decent wage.”
In addition, the caretakers, who may be required to work late on some nights are entitled to an anti-social hours payment.
“They sometimes have to stay until midnight if a hall is rented out for a birthday party or other family event,” said Biggins. “Also sometimes we get a last minute booking so staff have to be flexible. It is therefore important they feel appreciated.”
The Pearce Institute, known locally as the PI, is one of the most important buildings in Govan.
Designed by Sir Rowand Anderson and completed in 1906, it is a category A-listed building in recognition of its national and international importance. It was gifted to the working men and women of Govan by Lady Pearce in memory of her late husband, Sir William Pearce, under whose guidance Fairfield Shipyards became the biggest and probably the most technically advanced shipyard in the world.
The Pearce Institute originally held a range of activities for the whole family, from reading rooms, to a gymnasium for sports and games and many workshops including cooking classes. Nowadays it is home to a wide range of community groups and social economy organisations who share the common aim of meeting the needs of the people of Govan. There is a wide range of accommodation for hire for meetings, conferences, social functions and leisure activities.
“These services would not be here if the PI was not here but being a third sector organisation we are living hand to mouth,” said Biggins.
“It is a struggle because of the current financial climate which is not good for any third sector organisation – there is no big pot of money anywhere anymore. That makes it harder so we have to ensure that our income can manage to meet our outgoings. That means when we rent out halls and rooms we have to make sure our finances balance. There is not a lot extra at the end of the financial year – in fact there is very little.”
He added: “We can’t guarantee that we are going to get all our estimated bookings and as the rest of the third sector becomes less able to book rooms and halls for meetings and conferences it means we take a hit. Income from ad hoc hires varies quite substantially over the period.”
Nevertheless, work on upgrading the interior is continuing after the £2.5m repair of the roof in 2011. The next stage is to carry out a phased refurbishment of the McLeod Hall while still providing services to the community.
“When we identify a need we try to provide that support,” said Biggins.
The real living wage of £8.75 is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually and is calculated according to the real costs of living. The Westminster Government’s so-called “living wage” of £7.83 is merely a new minimum wage rate for staff over 25-years-old.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here