Media Advisory - "Fight for Fifteen!" campaign to launch in Montreal on October 7, The International Day for Decent Work

MONTREAL, Oct. 7, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Coalition Against Precarious Work is launching their campaign to fight for a $15 per hour minimum wage in Quebec on the International Day for Decent Work, October 7^th, 2015.  The organizers will assemble in Jarry Park for a press conference and will display balloons marked with the number 15 to symbolize the need to raise hourly salaries to a more livable wage.

In Quebec, wage increases have favoured a privileged few while leaving immigrants and other high risk populations falling through the income gap.  This is reflected in recent statistics released by l'Institut de la statistique du Québec (2015), that show an approximate 38% difference over the last ten years favouring non-precarious over precarious labour.

The Coalition wants to use this occasion to build momentum for the campaign for a living wage. "Decent jobs mean decent wages and the rise in salaries will help lower-income families, single parent families, immigrants in low-wage work to overcome the challenges they are facing," says Viviana Carol, an organizer for the Temporary Agency Workers Association a member of The Coalition.

All across Canada workers have launched campaigns for $15 per hour minimum wage including cities such as Toronto and Vancouver.  The NDP government in Alberta has fulfilled an election promise and is increasing its' minimum wage incrementally to $15 by 2018.

"At a time of government austerity, budget cuts to healthcare and education, the lowest tiers always feel the brunt," Carol further explains. "On October 7th, the International Day for Decent Work, it's time to move beyond lip service and join the campaign to fight for a fifteen-dollar minimum wage."

What:	Assembly and press conference
	Jarry Park, Jarry street, corner St-Laurent Blvd.
When:	October 7, 2015 at 12:30 pm

Source : Institut de la statistique du Québec (2015), Annuaire québécois des statistiques du travail. Portrait des principaux indicateurs du marché et des conditions de travail 2004-2014, 11.

SOURCE Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN)

For information, contact Enrique Llanes at [phone], [email protected]