Victoria's first Living Wage coffee shop

2% Jazz Coffee shop is the first coffee shop in Victoria to signify their commitment to ending working poverty, by paying all their staff and contracted workers a Living Wage

“The service industry has been broken for many years. Treating employees fairly and compensating them properly for their contributions to the business is the only sustainable path forwards” Sam Jones, 2% Jazz

The living wage is the hourly amount a family needs to cover basic expenses. The calculation is based on a two-parent family with two children – the most common family unit in BC – with each parent working full-time. The Living Wage for Greater Victoria is $19.39 an hour.

“We’re delighted that 2% Jazz Coffee Shop. With a labour shortage occurring across BC, many employers are finding paying a Living Wage an important tool in recruiting and maintaining the best staff. Paying a Living Wage is good for the employer, the employee and the local community. We invite other coffee shops to join the Living Wage movement,” said Anastasia French, Living Wage for Families BC.

Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment employers make to invest in their communities and local economies. There are over 250 Living Wage Employers in BC, with over 30,000 employees who don’t need to worry about how they will afford rent, food and other essentials for their family because they are guaranteed to earn a Living Wage.