More companies in Saskatoon are now offering a living wage

From the CBC: the ‘living wage’ movement continues to grow in Saskatoon. Four more companies in the city are now pledging to offer a wage that would support a family of four ($16.68 or higher).

The Living Wage YXE group is encouraging more companies to offer living wages, as it can help in the fight against poverty. Offering a living wage can also have benefits for businesses, for example, “lower employee turnover and better customer service.”

The article can be found here: http://thestarphoenix.com/storyline/four-saskatoon-companies-have-pledged-to-pay-employees-a-living-wage 

Living wage in Saskatoon

This article from CBC News showcases a recent report authored by Charles Plante and Stefan Roddau for the Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership, which finds that an employee needs a wage of $16.77 (working 35+ hours/week) to live and support a family in Saskatoon.

The authors make the case that paying employees a living wage helps keep employees healthy and happy, but also can benefit a business (e.g. reducing employee turnover and improving employee commitment and loyalty).

Link to CBC article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/anti-poverty-group-sets-saskatoon-living-wage-at-16-77-an-hour-1.3292832

For more information, check out http://www.livingwageyxe.ca/

The report can be found by clicking here.

Living Wage Saskatoon launch Oct 28

The Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership is holding a launch event for for Living Wage Saskatoon
Oct 28th 2015, 9:30-11:00am
Le Relais (308 4th Ave N Saskatoon)
For more information see
“Business Case for Living Wage in Saskatoon” report livingwageyxe.ca
Twitter @livingwageYXE #LivingWageYXE
Contact:
Colleen Christopherson-Cote, Community Partnerships Facilitator
Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership (SPRP)
rm 880 122 3rd Ave N Saskatoon, SK S7K2H6

 

 

A Living Wage for Regina

A family of 4 with a children 4 and 7 years need $58,000 per year to live on. Minimum wage provides about $34,000. The graphics in the report tell the story. View entire report at .https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/living-wage-regina

Paul Gingrich, Simon Enoch,  and Brian Banks worked on this document.

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A Living Wage for Regina is $16.46/per hour.

While Saskatchewan’s economy has outperformed the rest of the country for the past few years, many underserved groups have not benefitted from the province’s economic expansion. The adoption of a Living Wage by Saskatchewan municipalities and employers would offer a chance to more equally share the benefits of a booming economy. The income security derived from the Living Wage benefits not only workers, but their families as well, improving health and child development outcomes. Moreover, the Living Wage can be a boon to local business, drastically reducing absenteeism and employee turnover, enhancing brand reputation and customer loyalty and providing privileged access to a new market of Living Wage employers. Lastly, the Living Wage can improve the health of our local economies by injecting much-needed income into the hands of low-income earners who will immediately turn around and purchase local goods and services.

We know that the costs to adopt the Living Wage are negligible and are far outweighed by the positive impacts on our families, business and communities. Adopting a Living Wage is one way we can restore a measure of fairness and dignity to our economic system. We hope that this initial report on the Living Wage for the City of Regina can spark a successful Living Wage movement throughout Saskatchewan.

View the full release here:

https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/living-wage-regina

Simon Enoch, PhD
Director
CCPA Saskatchewan
G-2835 13th Avenue
Regina, SK
S4T 1N6
(306) 924 3372