Minimum Wage Boost Nearing
By 250 News
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 03:55 AM
Prince George, B.C. – It won’t be long before the minimum wage in this province is boosted.
Effective May 1st, the wage will increase to $8.75 an hour up from $8.00 an hour.
The Prince George Chamber of Commerce surveyed its 830 plus membership just before Christmas of 2010 about the minimum wage and of those who responded, the support for a boost in the minimum wage was strong.
134 businesses responded, and 81% said they favoured an increase.
When answering the question “British Columbia has a general minimum wage rate of $8 per hour. Do you believe the minimum wage should be in-creased?” 51.4% responded “Yes- as soon as possible”, 29.8% responded “Yes- but gradually over time”, while 18.6% responded “No”.
Of those who said it should be introduced gradually, they suggested a 3-6 month lead in time, so businesses have time to prepare.
The Chamber says it found that most respondents were already paying above the mini-mum wage and any support of an increase was connected to a sentiment that it would en-hance the health and well-being of the city.
The Chamber says “recognizes that there is a small percentage of members opposed to any increase in the minimum wage and that this minority feels very strongly, particularly restaurant and retail member businesses, that any increase in the minimum wage will seriously hamper their ability to succeed in business”.
The full changes taking place on the first of May are:
- The general minimum wage increases from $8 per hour to $8.75 per hour.
- The First Job Wage, also known as the "training wage", is repealed and no longer in effect.
- A new minimum wage rate for liquor servers is introduced. This rate applies only to employees whose primary duties are as a server of food or drink or both, and as a regular part of his or her employment serves liquor directly to customers, guests, members or patrons in premises for which a licence to sell liquor has been issued under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act. The minimum wage rate for liquor servers will be $8.50 per hour, effective May 1.
- Non-hourly rates paid to camp leaders, live-in home support workers and resident caretakers and are being adjusted in proportion to the increase in minimum wage.
- Piece rates for hand-harvested crops listed in the employment standards regulation increase by 9.375 per cent.
Previous Story - Next Story
Email
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
Del.icio.usReturn to Home
Posted by: jonnypg on April 13 2011 6:03 AM