"We're incredibly disappointed to hear that the Vancouver School Board will stop being a Living Wage Employer.

Cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and labourers do vital work to help keep schools running. Parents across Vancouver depend on them to feed their children, maintain safe and clean facilities, and safely transport students. At a minimum, these workers deserve a wage that allows them to make ends meet.

At a time when all of us need to come together to face unprecedented economic threats, it has never been more important that workers earn a Living Wage. Instead, some of these workers will be receiving a 25% pay cut in a few months time. 

We urge the VSB to change course and work with partners to find a solution which ensures that all of their direct and contracted staff can earn a Living Wage" Anastasia French, Provincial Manager, Living Wage BC.

Background:

• The Living Wage is the hourly amount that a worker needs to earn to afford basic essentials like food and rent. The current Living Wage for Metro Vancouver is $27.05.
• Vancouver School Board have been a certified Living Wage Employer since 2022, ensuring that all their direct staff and contractors earn a Living Wage.
• Bus drivers and attendants working for First Canada have been told that their pay will be dropping from $25.68 (the Living Wage in 2023) to $19.65 an hour. 
• Also impacted by the Living Wage commitment are casual labourers who are direct VSB staff and contracted cafeteria workers. 

Read our briefing for VSB trustees