Join the fight against unfair wage hikes in Manitoba!

(Feb. 9/10) – As Manitoba’s provincial government considers its next minimum wage increase, business owners have a unique opportunity to provide their input directly to Labour Minister Jennifer Howard.

In the Feb. 4 edition of the Winnipeg Free Press, Minister Howard said there will be a minimum wage increase, but its size and timing have yet to be decided. She anticipates an announcement by the end of March. Read article

Now is the time for business owners to voice their concerns directly to the Minister. CRFA is urging the province to help foodservice operators in the following ways:

Reduce future increases in minimum wage. Employers should not be forced to bear another huge minimum wage raise that is inconsistent with other economic indicators. Government should also raise the basic personal tax exemption to a level that is more consistent with other Canadian provinces.

Recognize the considerable costs associated with properly training new employees by introducing a training wage for the first 500 hours of work for employees who require on-the-job training.

Recognize the significant income earned by liquor servers by introducing a tip differential, which is a lower minimum wage paid to servers in licensed establishments.

Hearing a similar message directly from employers can influence the government’s decision on this matter. Please fill out the petition by Feb. 28, 2010, and join the fight against unreasonable wage increases.

If you have any questions, call Courtney Hirota in CRFA’s Manitoba-Saskatchewan Office at 1-877-926-8557 or e-mail chirota@crfa.ca.

Last month, CRFA’s Manitoba-Saskatchewan Vice-President Courtney Hirota (right) met with Labour Minister Jennifer Howard (left) to introduce the province’s foodservice industry and discuss minimum wage.

CRFA's Manitoba Lobbyist

Join the fight against unfair wage hikes in Manitoba!