CRFA's Nova Scotia Lobbyist
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Luc Erjavec Vice President, Atlantic Canada T: 1-877-755-1938 E: luc@crfa.ca |
Two raises too many: Nova Scotia’s minimum wage in 2010
(Jan. 8/10) The Nova Scotia government is reviewing the minimum wage and plans to raise it to $9.20 per hour on April 1, 2010 and again on Oct. 1, 2010 to $9.65 per hour.
Labour already accounts for nearly a third of sales, minimum wage rates have increased much faster than other economic indicators, and many businesses are struggling. CRFA needs your help to tell government that enough is enough.
CRFA is urging the province to help foodservice operators in the following ways:
- Slow the scheduled increases in minimum wage to be more in line with the marketplace. Employers should not be forced to bear a 12.2% increase in minimum wage when the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has actually decreased by 0.5%.
- Introduce a tip differential to recognize the significant extra income earned by liquor servers. This differential would be put in place by freezing servers’ wage rates during the next general minimum wage increase. Wages would not be rolled back.
- Protect jobs and put more money into the pockets of low-income workers by taking away less in income tax. Raise the basic personal exemption to a level that is more consistent with other Canadian provinces.
Government will only act if they hear from you. Please fill out the petition by January 19, 2010.
If you have any questions, call CRFA’s Atlantic Regional Office at 1-877-755-1938 or e-mail luc@crfa.ca.