Pathway to Potential launched a regional living wage campaign Tuesday with the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The wage for Windsor and Essex County was announced at $14.15 per hour without medical benefits and $13.10/hr with medical benefits included. The organization says the rate will be reviewed annually and adjusted accordingly.
The group says recruiting employers to pay a living wage is one of the best local economic development strategies we can employ.
Using the national framework for a living wage developed by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and other leading experts, Windsor-Essex becomes the 10th community in Ontario and 36th in Canada to launch a campaign.
At least five local businesses have committed to paying a living wage - ABC Day Nursery, Elite Construction (Windsor) Corp, Motor City Community Credit Union, Spotvin Craft Creative and Suede Productions.
“By paying a living wage, our team members do not need to seek additional employment to cover their bills, as a result we see an increase in employee loyalty and lower staff turnover,”says Dan Michos, owner and president of Elite Construction (Windsor) Corp.
Pathway to Potential is hoping other business will now sign on as living wage employers.
"We have an accreditation system for employers who want to wear the badge of the living wage or to announce themselves and proudly say they're living wage employers," said P2P director Adam Vasey.
