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Unifor members have been very active in British Columbia’s Fair Wage Commission (FWC) hearings. The FWC was established last month as an arms-length body tasked with making recommendations about how quickly the BC NDP government should move to raise the province’s minimum wage—including sub-minimum rates—to $15 per hour.
The Commission has been travelling the province to hear testimony from individuals and groups who want to contribute to the discussion. In addition to making presentations to the FWC, Unifor will be making formal written submission outlining the latest economic research to argue for an immediate increase to $15.
The push for a $15 minimum wage follows the B.C. labour movement’s “Fight for $15” campaign. The B.C. NDP finally committed to the $15 minimum wage during the May 2017 provincial election.
B.C.’s current minimum wage is $11.35 but several job classifications, such as home-care workers and workers that serve liquor, can legally be paid less.
By the time the Commission concludes the hearings, 14 Unifor members will have testified in five cities: Paramjit Birak (Local 3000), Alex Charles (Local 780G), Manjit Grewal (Local 3000), Marvit Kaur (Local 3000), Kenn Kidd (Local 1133), Morteza Maleki (Local 114), Brenda Mason (Local 780G), Dave McDonnell (Local 10-B Retirees), Maurice Mills (Local 114), Ellen-Marie Moriera, (Local 3000), Krista Lee Munro (Local 111), Leni Sampayan (Local 3000), and Ramandeep Sekhon (Local 3000).
Public consultations will conclude on December 7 and the Commission is bound to make its first report to government before year-end.
More information can be found on Unifor’s campaign page, unifor.org/makeitfair
