Minimum wage plan discriminates, unions say

Some unions are saying a P.E.I. plan to establish different minimum wages discriminate against women and youth.

'Why would we want to build something into our structure that would keep their incomes lower?' — Mary MacNeill, PSAC

The province recently passed legislation that could see different "classes" of employees, which would likely mean those in training and in the service industry would be paid less.

A recent legislative committee hearing on changes to the minimum wage system was packed with young people. Mary MacNeill, regional representative for the Public Service Alliance of Canada, told CBC News Thursday the ones she talked to were outraged.

MacNeill said PSAC — which represents federal employees, including students — is concerned this would increase poverty, especially among the young.

"Many of them have taken two jobs to make ends meet. Why would we want to build something into our structure that would keep their incomes lower?" she said.

The plan would be a huge step backwards, she said, and would force many to look for work off-Island.

Carl Pursey, president of the P.E.I. Federation of Labour, agrees. He said it's also a matter of women's rights.

"They're most of the ones that work in the service industries and restaurants and in the tourism industry and that type of thing," said Pursey.

It's not a guaranteed thing that they're always going to get tips. We figure it's discrimination."

Currently four provinces have multiple- class minimum wage systems; five others have had legislation on the books for years, but have not enacted it.

P.E.I.'s legislative committee is planning public hearings across the Island to determine if there should be more than one minimum wage. The first of those will likely be in mid-February.