Should the UASU support $15 Minimum Wage?

For Context: One of the biggest campaign promises of the NDP government was the introduction of $15 minimum wage. This is a process that has already begun. By 2018 minimum wage will be $15 in Alberta. They are asking for students to support this change.

To decide whether this is a change students should support Our Mission: To decide whether this is a change students should support

3.1% of Albertan employees are earning Minimum wage How do we fit in this? 3.1% of Albertan employees are earning Minimum wage Of Them: 17.9% are from the ages of 20 - 24 32.7% are from the ages of 15 - 19 15.1% are aged 55+ This is important to note because: “There [are] proportionately fewer minimum wage earners in all other age groups…” - Alberta Minimum Wage Profile (pg. 2)

There are roughly 305,400 Albertans this increase affects Employment Type Full Time (30hr. +) 172,000 Part Time (<30hr) 133,400 Total: 305,400 Job Tenure 1-12 Months 135,000 1-5 Years 125,200 5+ Years 45,200 Total: 305,400

Industries Affected Industry (Total + 305,400) Agriculture 5,300 Forestry, Fishing, Mining, Oil and Gas 2,900 Construction 3,700 Manufacturing 6,600 Wholesale Trade 5,200 Retail Trade 103,900 Transportation and Warehousing 5,800 Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing 8,600 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 5,500 Educational Services 10,500 Health Care and Social Assistance 15,200 Information, Culture and Recreation 13,400 Accommodation and Food Services 82,900 Other Services 19,000 Public Administration 2,600 Other 14,400 Industries Affected

But how does EDUCATION play a factor?

Their Student Status is: Of the 305,400 Albertans: Their Student Status is: Student - 70,200 Non-Student - 235,100 Although this doesn’t necessarily mean they are not trying to access post-secondary

Post-Secondary Certificate or Diploma - 66,000 Let’s have a look at the highest completed level of education for these Albertans 0-8 Years (Elementary) - 8,200 Some Highschool - 64,700 Highschool Graduate - 95,500 Some Post-Secondary - 27,700 Post-Secondary Certificate or Diploma - 66,000 University Degree (Bachelors) - 31,300 University Degree (Above Bachelors) - 12,000

The minimum wage increase is already set in motion The minimum wage increase is already set in motion. By 2018 our province’s minimum wage will be $15/hr. The Students’ Union has already begun incrementally increasing the hourly wage of our staff to keep up with the changes. It is important to note that the question we are asking is not whether we should advocate for or against the changes to minimum wage.

Instead, the question is: Should the University of Alberta Students’ Union support the minimum wage increase, even if it affects more than just current students?