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Lower Mainland mayors join labour call for $10 minimum wage - new poll shows 79.3 percent of British Columbians in support
December 19, 2006
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Vancouver - Two Lower Mainland mayors are joining the B.C. Federation of Labour's call for a $10 minimum wage in the wake of new polling that shows 79.3 percent of British Columbians support the change.
"A commitment by the Premier to raise the minimum wage to $10 from $8 and eliminate the training wage would be a great Christmas gift to thousands of British Columbians who now live below the poverty line," said B.C. Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair. "It's time to share the gains of a strong economy."
Sinclair released details of a poll of 601 British Columbians conducted between November 23rd and November 30th that showed 79.3 percent support for a lift in the minimum wage to $10. There was 73.5 percent support for elimination of the training wage.
Two Lower Mainland mayors today, endorsed the call for an increase and pledged to call on Victoria to make the change.
"Burnaby City Council is already on record calling for a $10 minimum wage and an increase in income assistance," said Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan. "These are obvious steps the province should take now to tackle homelessness and poverty."
North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussato agreed, saying he will urge his council to take up the demand for a minimum wage that ensures full-time workers are living above the poverty line. "We hear a lot about labour shortages," Mussato said, "but clearly there's a wage shortage for many minimum wage workers who perform vital services in many sectors of the economy. They deserve a raise."
In the Federation poll, respondents were first asked if they supported any increase in the minimum wage. Fifty eight point eight percent strongly supported an increase and 21.7 percent somewhat supported one.
Respondents were asked their reaction to the statement that the "the minimum wage should be increased to $10 an hour because that is the rate required to ensure a full-time workers earns enough to live above the poverty line." Sixty-three percent strongly agreed and 16 percent somewhat agreed with the statement.
The B.C. Federation of Labour poll was conducted by Strategic Communications between November 23rd and November 30th. The results are accurate with in a margin of error of plus or minus four percent, 19 times out of 20.
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For more information: Geoff Meggs 604-220-3095.
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