In 2011 Vancity embarked on a journey to become Canada’s largest Living Wage Employer. In June 2013, the credit union has moved one step closer with its recertification as a Living Wage Employer by the Living Wage for Families Campaign.

As an organization with more than 2,500 employees, 57 locations and numerous external contracts, implementing a living wage has been no small undertaking. Ellen Pekeles, senior vice-president of operations, notes, “The knowledge and experience Vancity employees have collected along the way has been immense. So our next commitment is to document and share with other businesses the challenges and solutions we’ve encountered.”

To this end, Vancity is calling on other organizations to consider joining the cooperative in building stronger, healthier communities in B.C., and is sharing what it has learned about increasing the number of certified Living Wage Employers in BC with new community partners such as the Living Wage Employer Program at the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria and Living Wage Fraser Valley at Vibrant Abbotsford.

Read more:
Business in Vancouver: Vancity challenges B.C. businesses to pay living wage