Groups demand increase in Alberta's unacceptably low minimum wage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23, 1998

EDMONTON -- A coalition of groups concerned about the plight of Alberta's working poor will hold a news conference early next week to call for an immediate increase in the provincial minimum wage.

What: News Conference on the Minimum Wage

Where: Howard Johnson Hotel, Salon B (10010 - 104 Street)

When: Monday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Speakers at the news conference will be drawn from a wide range of social, labour, community and religious groups. They will include:

Marjorie Bencz, Executive Director, Edmonton Food Bank ·
Audrey Cormack, President, Alberta Federation of Labour ·
Midge Cuthill, National Anti-Poverty Organization ·
Larry Derkach, Director, Bissell Centre ·
Ayal Dinner, STORM, U of A student group ·
John Lynch, Catholic Social Justice Commission ·
Phyllis Matousek, Seniors' Action Liaison Team ·
Mimi Williams, Edmonton Working Women

"The government is currently reviewing Alberta's minimum wage," says Audrey Cormack, one of the news conference organizers. "We want to make it clear to them that most Albertans want the minimum wage increased substantially. As it stands right now the minimum wage is a poverty wage -- and that's simply unacceptable."

Several people who work at or near the minimum wage will also be at the news conference. They will talk about their experiences and describe how difficult it is to survive on Alberta's notoriously low minimum wage.

Audrey Cormack, AFL President: 483-3021 or
Gil McGowan, Director of Communications at 483-3021