EDMONTON - Alberta's minimum wage hike kicks in on April Fool's Day, but an organization representing labour groups suggests $8.40 cents an hour is still a sad joke.

The Alberta Federation of Labour says the province's high cost of living means the minimum wage should be set closer to $12 an hour. Alberta's minimum wage was previously $8 an hour.

Premier Ed Stelmach announced the increase earlier this month, saying it will ensure that people on the low end of the wage scale share in the province's prosperity.

But federation president Gil McGowan says Alberta should be leading the country when it comes to minimum wages, given its booming economy.

With the increase, Alberta's minimum wage is the third highest in Canada behind Ontario's rate of $8.75 and Manitoba's $8.50.

"At the new level of $8.40 our minimum wage won't even come close to being a living wage," McGowan said Monday in a news release.

Alberta sets its minimum wage based on Statistics Canada survey information and the average weekly wage index.

McGowan says that's a good thing, but adds the government needs to get the base right.

Stelmach estimates that about 70,000 people earn the minimum wage in Alberta, most of them teenagers working in the restaurant and hospitality industries.

Many businesses in the fast-food industry already pay their employees more than the minimum wage because of the province's labour shortage.

Brandon Sun, Tues Apr 1 2008

An Alberta labour organization says the province's 40-cent wage hike on April Fool's Day is a sad joke.

The increase, effective Tuesday, boosts Alberta's minimum wage to $8.40 an hour from $8.

The Alberta Federation of Labour said the province's high cost of living means the minimum wage should be set closer to $12 an hour.

"At the new level of $8.40, our minimum wage won't even come close to being a living wage," Federation president Gil McGowan said in a release issued Monday.

He said Alberta should be leading the country in terms of minimum wage, given its booming economy.

With the hike, the province boasts the third highest minimum wage in Canada, behind Ontario with $8.75 and Manitoba at $8.50.

The province automatically adjusts its minimum wage every April based on the average weekly wage index that consists of data on jobs, payroll and hours compiled by Statistics Canada.

McGowan says that's a good thing, but adds the government needs to get the base right.

According to the province, about 3.5 per cent of working Albertans, or 70,000 people, make minimum wage. The majority are teenagers working in the food and hospitality industries.

Many businesses in the fast-food industry already pay their employees more than the minimum wage because of the province's labour shortage.

CBC.ca, Tues Apr 1 2008

The head of Alberta's largest labour group is calling out the provincial government for what he says is a "drop in the bucket" when it comes to the minimum wage.

The rate increases as of Tuesday, April 1st is from $8 to $8.40 an hour.
The Alberta Federation of Labour says with the cost of living so high in this province, the minimum wage should be at least $12.

Federation President Gill McGowan says he doesn't buy the provincial government's argument only a small number of Albertans actually get paid the minimum.

Alberta Employment and Immigration spokesperson Janice Schroeder says they look at the average weekly wage and adjust the minimum based on that.

Not factoring in taxes, Alberta's minimum wage is third in the country behind Ontario and Manitoba.

CHQR Newsroom, Tues Apr 1 2008

Cochrane Times - As of April 1, Alberta's minimum wage will increase from $8 to $8.40 per hour. According to Premier Ed Stelmach, the wage increase will ensure that it keeps pace with other salary increases in Alberta.

"Alberta's experiencing a time of great prosperity," Stelmach said. "Wages have increased about five per cent and we're ensuring minimum wage earners are sharing in this growth."

Last June, the provincial government announced that increases to the minimum wage would be based on the average weekly wage index and would come into effect April 1, 2008. The index is based on Statistics Canada's annual survey of employment, payroll and hours.

"With Alberta's vibrant economy and low unemployment, most employers are already paying more than minimum wage," Minister of Employment and Immigration Hector Goudreau said.

However, not everyone in Alberta is impressed with the increase. The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) contends that the increase is too small, because the base rate is too low.

"Alberta's current minimum wage is simply too low," AFL president Gil McGowan said. "We estimate that a living wage right now in the province would have to be at least $10 per hour, so the government-mandated increase to $8.40 per hour as of April 1 this year is actually very disappointing."

McGowan added that Alberta workers need a minimum wage that actually reflects the high cost of living in the province.

"A minimum wage, after all, should prevent full-time workers from living below the poverty line," he said.

About 70,000 people, or 3.5 per cent, of working Albertans make minimum wage.

The majority are 15- to 19-year-olds working in the food service and hospitality industries.

Despite the fact that with the increase, Alberta's minimum wage remains the highest in Canada after taxes, McGowan proposes to first raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour and then index it.

"Let's start with a realistic and fair minimum wage - and then take it from there," he said.

Even before taxes, Alberta will have the third-highest minimum wage among the provinces, behind only Ontario ($8.75) and Manitoba ($8.50).
Employers and employees with questions about minimum wage can contact the Employment Standards contact centre at 780-427-3731 (toll-free in Alberta by first dialing 310-0000) or visit: www.employment.alberta.ca/es for more information.

Cochrane Times, Wed Mar 26 2008
Byline: Stacie Snow

Alberta's minimum wage will increase from $8 to $8.40 per hour on April 1.

"Alberta's experiencing a time of great prosperity," said Premier Ed Stelmach, adding that the wage increase will ensure that it keeps pace with other salary increases in Alberta.

"Wages have increased about five per cent and we're ensuring minimum wage earners are sharing in this growth."

Last June, government announced increases to minimum wage would be based on the average weekly wage index and come into effect on April 1.

The index is based on Statistics Canada's annual survey of employment, payroll and hours.

"With Alberta's vibrant economy and low unemployment, most employers are already paying more than minimum wage," said Hector Goudreau, Minister of Employment and Immigration.

However, not everyone in Alberta is impressed with the increase.

The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) contends that the increase is too small because the base rate is too low.

"Alberta's current minimum wage is simply too low," said AFL president Gil McGowan.

"We estimate that a living wage right now in the province would have to be at least $10 per hour. So the government-mandated increase to $8.40 per hour as of April 1 this year is actually very disappointing."

McGowan added that Alberta workers need a minimum wage that actually reflects the high cost of living in Alberta.

"A minimum wage, after all, should prevent full-time workers from living below the poverty line."

About 70,000 or 3.5 per cent of working Albertans make minimum wage.

The majority are 15 to 19 year olds working in the food service and hospitality industries.

Despite the fact that with the increase, Alberta's minimum wage remains the highest in Canada after taxes, McGowan proposes to first raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour and then index it.

"Let's start with a realistic and fair minimum wage -- and then take it from there," he said.

Even before taxes, Alberta will have the third highest minimum wage among provinces, behind only Ontario ($8.75) and Manitoba ($8.50).

Employers and employees with questions about minimum wage can contact the Employment Standards Contact Centre at 780-427-3731 (toll free in Alberta by first dialing 310-0000) or visit employment.alberta.ca/es for more information.

Alberta's minimum wage will jump to $8.40 per hour from $8 per hour on April 1, making it the highest minimum wage in Canada after taxes, but the Alberta Federation of Labour says it's still not enough.

Last June, the province announced that the minimum wage would be adjusted according to the average weekly wage index beginning in April. The index is based on an annual survey of employment, payroll and hours provided by Statistics Canada.

This year's five per cent increase is due to a 4.7 per cent increase in Alberta's average weekly wages from January 2007 through December 2007, according to Stephanie Francis of Alberta Employment and Education.

"It was rounded up to make it easier for payroll, for employers. And it's also more understandable for everyone as well," she said.

Because minimum wages are based on the average weekly wage index there are two possible outcomes, according to Francis.

If the average weekly wage increases, the minimum wage increases by the same per cent. If it remains the same or decreases, the minimum wage will stay the same.

"The minimum wage will never decrease," Francis said.

Though Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, approves of the government's decision to have minimum wage increased according to the average weekly wage index, he said it still doesn't allow for an adequate income.

He said the minimum wage should have been adjusted to the average weekly wage index years ago and it has limited effect now because the base rate is too low.

"The real value of the minimum wage has eroded substantially," McGowan said.

"Eight dollars and forty cents is simply not enough to keep someone out of poverty anywhere in Alberta, especially in high-cost locations like Fort McMurray, Calgary, Edmonton, even Fort Saskatchewan," he said.

"At that wage you would have to work 100 hours per week to keep yourself above the poverty line."

McGowan said he would like to see the base rate increased to about $11 to $12 per hour and then have it indexed as it is.

"Until that happens, the minimum wage in this province still won't be doing what it is supposed to be doing."

But Francis said the majority of those earning minimum wage are younger than 20 years old.

"Many of them are still living at home and this is a way for them to earn a little extra money that they might like to have," she said, adding that Alberta's minimum wage is meant to keep pace with minimum wages across the country.

Before taxes, Alberta will have the third highest minimum wage in the country come April 1. Only Ontario and Manitoba have higher minimum wages.

According to Alberta Employment and Immigration, 3.5 per cent of Alberta workers, about 70,000 people, are earning minimum wage. The majority are 15 to 19 years old and are working in food services and hospitality.

Francis said the next potential increase could come in April 2009.

Fort Saskatchewan Record, Tues Mar 25 2008
Byline: Paul Grigaitis

CALGARY -- Alberta's higher minimum wage set to kick in April 1 is progress but condemns the lowest earners to continued poverty, a union leader said yesterday.

Premier Ed Stelmach hailed the increase of the bottom wage to $8.40 from $8 as a means of helping mainly service industry workers keep pace with the booming province's rising cost of living.

"This will ensure minimum-wage earners share in Alberta's continued economic prosperity," said Stelmach, adding the 4.6% hike reflects the general increase in Alberta wages over the past year.

While welcoming the increase, Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan said the rate level puts low-income earners permanently behind the economic curve.

Edmonton Journal, Wed Mar 19 2008