MEDIA RELEASE: STRONG MAJORITY OF WINNIPEGGERS SUPPORT MUNICIPAL LIVING WAGE POLICY: PROBE POLL
October 04, 2018 at 5:43 PM
Winnipeg - A Probe Research poll released today shows that Winnipeggers want the city to adopt a living wage policy requiring city contractors to pay their workers a living wage, Gord Delbridge, President of CUPE Local 500 announced today.
“With the results of this survey we see that Winnipeggers believe that the people delivering city services, including those employed by city contractors, deserve to earn a wage that allows them to pay their bills and support their families,” Delbridge said. “Some of the people providing the services we rely on every day earn very modest wages – less than the basic costs of living in our city.”
The Probe Research poll, conducted in June 2018, defined a living wage as one that allows a family with two working parents to meet the basic needs of their families, and asked Winnipeg adults if they would support or oppose the adoption of a living wage policy for Winnipeg, even if it meant some costs would increase. 81% of respondents said they would support this policy, with 53% saying they strongly support it. The poll is considered accurate with 95% certainty with results that are within ± 4.0 percentage points.
“The overwhelming response from Winnipeg adults shows that Winnipeggers understand how important it is for families to be able to make ends meet,” Delbridge said. “It’s time for our city to show leadership and make sure that everyone delivering city services are paid a living wage.”
Last week, CUPE Local 500 launched its Living Wage campaign, calling for all council and mayoral candidates to support a living wage policy for the City of Winnipeg. The survey results released today show that Winnipeggers want civic leaders to implement this policy after the election, added Delbridge.
“CUPE and the labour movement have advocated for fair and living wages across the country in both the public and private sector,” Delbridge said. “It’s encouraging to see that Winnipeggers agree that the people who deliver the city services we rely on deserve to make a living wage.”
The Living Wage movement continues to grow across Canada, with municipalities such as Vancouver, New Westminster, and Cambridge all committing to be Living Wage employers in recent years. The City of Toronto has had a fair-wage policy since 1893.
CUPE Local 500 represents approximately 4,600 workers at the City of Winnipeg.
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For more information:
Gord Delbridge, President, CUPE Local 500: (cell): 204-391-2924, gdelbridge@cupe500.mb.ca
Dale Edmunds, CUPE Communications: 204-942-0343
Karen Byzuk, CUPE Local 500 Communications: 204-942-1001
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