Alberta Labour movement urging NDP government to keep minimum wage promise

The Alberta Federation of Labour wants the NDP to keep its promise to raise Alberta's minimum wage to $15 by 2018 despite backlash from the business sector.

On Friday, the grouplaunched the "15 is Fair" campaign in Edmonton at the Local Omnivore, a restaurant and deli.

"During the last election campaign, the NDP won in part because Albertans overwhelminglysupported their promise to raise the minimum wage," AFLpresident GilMcGowan said in a press release.

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"While there are vested interests campaigning loudly against the minimum wage,there's a quiet majority who support the idea that workers shouldbeheard in this debate. We want them to be heard."

The "15 is fair" campaign haslaunched a websitealongwith a template people can use to contact their MLA.

KelseyTrites, a manager and server at The Local Omnivore, said its important to pay people a living wage.

"I've been doing this for so long that I consider this a profession," she said.

"Being paid a very livable minimum wage, I think means people take me seriously."

The current minimum wage in Alberta is $11.20. The NDP intends to raise the wage in stages, getting to $15 by 2018. . However, the timing of the next wage increase has not been announced.

The government is holding more consultations on the minimum wage hike this month. However, Premier Rachel Notley has said the wage increase will happen by the time her government goes to the polls in 2019.

Earlier this month, Restaurants Canada launched a campaign urging the government to delayraising the hourly wage until the economy improves.