Don't break our hearts: raise the minimum wage

Posted
February 10, 2015

Following up on the vote by delegates to the 2014 BC Federation of Labour convention, a campaign to raise the minimum wage to $15 and hour in BC is building momentum.

A key component of the campaign is to hold monthly actions on the 15th of every month to advocate for the change. Increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour would put a full-time worker 10 per cent above Statistics Canada’s low-income-cut-off. Other cities, including Seattle and San Francisco are already moving to a $15/hour minimum wage.

“Seattle and San Francisco know that increasing the minimum wage gives a boost to local economies,” said Irene Lanzinger, President of the BC Federation of Labour.

“Low wage earners are more likely to spend their money at businesses in their neighbourhood. Businesses may also experience improved employee retention and productivity when employees feel valued and respected.”

In addition to geh monthly actions, visit the campaign website to sign a petition or volunteer to get involved:  www.fightfor15bc.ca

This weekend, actions to support the campaign are being staged in Vancouver, Victoria, and Sechelt.

Vancouver: Broken Heart Rally – Hosted by BC Acorn

Groups like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business have denounced the benefits of raising BC's minimum wage to $15, but a fair wage is what is really needed! Join us at noon at the CFIB office to leave a day after Valentine's message. Bring a home-made broken heart valentine and let the CFIB know what it is really like for those living on minimum wage in BC. There will be speakers including low-wage workers and campaign endorsers. After the short rally participants will disperse downtown to distribute flyers and collect petition signatures.

Victoria: Heartless Employer Blitz - Hosted by Fight for Fifteen Victoria Organizing Committee

Workers can't survive on $10.25. Join Fight for Fifteen campaigners as we ask Uptown shoppers to name heartless employers - who pays poverty wages? Help us build the movement for a $15/hr minimum wage.

Sechelt: We're not loving it! – Hosted by the Sunshine Coast Labour Council and Fraser Shortt

Rally and petition signing event 1:00pm followed by a 2:00pm march and protest at McDonald's on the highway.

Visit the campaign website at http://www.fightfor15bc.ca/ to get involved, or to sign the petition calling for an increase to the minimum wage.

Topic
Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

Archive by Date