Church of England clergy asks for a pay raise for the first time in history

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/21/ [login to see] /church-of-england-clergy-asks-pay-raise-first-time-history-cost-of-living-crisis
Even the Church of England is feeling the pinch of the United Kingdom's cost-of-living crisis, and now clergy members are asking for a pay raise.

Members of the clergy have submitted a formal pay claim to the church for the first time in history, according to the labor union Unite.

"While many will argue their work is a vocation, the simple truth is that on their current rewards they are among the working poor," Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, said in a statement.

The union, which represents more than 2,000 clergy members and lay officers in the Church of England, said it requested a 9.5% increase in the stipend paid to clergy, beginning in April 2024.

Graham added that the Church of England has over $13 billion in reserves and can afford the pay bump.

In a statement to NPR, a Church of England spokesperson said clergy members offer "unstinting spiritual, pastoral and practical support" to their communities each day.