For Immediate Release
February 16, 2021
ST. JOHN’S – Today, NDP leader Alison Coffin is again affirming New Democrats’ commitment to a $15 an hour minimum wage for workers in the province.
“Now that the province is in a lockdown again, essential workers are back on the front lines while the rest of us stay safe at home with our families. It’s unacceptable that we rely so heavily on these workers to keep our grocery stores and other crucial services going yet they’re struggling to pay their bills and feed their families,” said Coffin. “How can you tell someone their work is essential and then pay them a poverty wage? It just doesn’t make sense. Every elected New Democrat is going to fight for minimum wage workers to earn $15 an hour as a start on the way to a living wage.”
Yesterday, Coffin met with representatives for the campaign for 15 and Fairness. The group has also been advocating for a $15 an hour minimum wage for workers in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“People are absolutely convinced that no one who works a forty-hour week should be living in poverty. We can’t just go back to business as usual after the pandemic,” said Coffin. “Ensuring minimum wage workers have more money in their pockets helps them afford a better life but it is also good for the province’s economic recovery. These workers buy things they need and redistribute that money right back into local shops and businesses.”
Coffin is quick to point out that women make up 66 per cent of those working for a minimum wage in the province.
“The pandemic has hit women hard and we know they’re struggling. The choices made by Liberals and Conservatives have let people fall further and further behind,” said Coffin. “We can choose to do things differently. Every New Democrat elected is going to fight for families to have a more affordable life in Newfoundland and Labrador and that starts with a stronger minimum wage.”