Last year many of you supported the City of Vancouver committing to become a Living Wage Employer. Now we’re writing to ask for your support one more time at the next council meeting.  

On the morning of Wednesday, September 21^st at 9:30 am the mayor and council will be approving a report from staff on the implementation of the living wage.

We need you to come to the council meeting (3^rd floor, Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue) to celebrate the incredible difference that this will make in the lives of direct staff and contract workers who will see their wages increase as a result of this move. Through ensuring that staff and contractors are able to make ends meet the City of Vancouver is taking a leadership role on working poverty.

If you can't make it out for the council meeting please show your support by following us on Twitter and liking us on Facebook. Help us to get a conversation going about the living wage and the incredible work that is happening. 

The report from the City of Vancouver is available online here: http://council.vancouver.ca/20160921/cfsc20160921ag.htm

The City of Vancouver will be pursuing certifying as a Living Wage Employer with the Living Wage for Families Campaign. They will also be supporting the Vancouver Public Library and the Vancouver Police Department in becoming Living Wage Employers.

This is exciting news! The total cost of implementing a living wage will be less than 0.5% of the city’s total procurement budget. This is a small cost to the City of Vancouver for a large impact on the lives of contract workers. The city has identified that contracts for janitorial, security and graffiti removal will have living wage policies included when they come up for renewal in the next few years.

We also want to continue to support the City of Vancouver as they deepen their commitment through analyzing the living wage implications for other civic agencies like the PNE and Easypark.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Deanna Ogle,  Campaign Organizer