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Higher minimum wage backed by two more city councils
June 15, 2007
Port Moody and Kamloops city councils are the two latest local governments to support the call for the provincial government to boost B.C.'s minimum wage.
At their June 12 meeting, Port Moody councillors voted unanimously in support of a $10 minimum wage to bring low-wage earners in B.C. above the poverty line. Civic leaders also agreed to send the issue to September's meeting of the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
On the same day, municipal politicians in Kamloops also voted unanimously to send a letter to Premier Campbell urging his government to increase the minimum wage which has been frozen at $8 since 2001.
It brings to almost 20 the number of local governments that are calling on the provincial government to give B.C.'s lowest paid workers a raise.
B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair says the two votes are a sign that the $10 NOW! campaign continues to gather momentum.
Sinclair says the Federation recently approved a plan to expand the campaign for the fall and step up pressure on the Campbell government to boost the rate for the first time in six years.
Meanwhile, young labour activists will be gathering signatures in support of $10 NOW at two upcoming concerts in Burnaby and Vancouver: the White Stripes June 24 at Deer Lake Park, and the July 3 Warped Tour at UBC's Thunderbird Stadium. If you'd like to volunteer to help out, contact Stephen Howard at 604-430-1421, local 241 or showard@bcfed.ca.
