Marmax Machine & Manufacturing: Certified Living Wage Employer
The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network is pleased to announce that Marmax Machine & Manufacturing has become a certified living wage employer.
Marmax Machine & Manufacturing is a family owned and operated steel processing facility located in Thorold. They currently employ ten full time and one part time staff.
“We decided to become certified as a living wage employer because we have paid a living wage since we hired our first employee in 2007, who is still with us and is now our plant supervisor. We believe that all people go to work to earn a living wage and it has proven to be true that when employees earn a fair wage they put in a fair days work,” says Maura Blair, Office Administrator at Marmax Machine & Manufacturing.
“Over 20 employers across Niagara have now chosen to become living wage certified,” says Glen Walker, Chair of the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network. “We are very pleased to see so many local employers who recognize the value and benefits of paying at least a living wage.”
A living wage reflects what earners need to be paid based on the actual costs of living and being included in the community. A living wage is not the same as the legislated minimum wage. It is a voluntary commitment that employers can make to compensate directly-employed and contract-employed full-time and part-time workers. The 2018 living wage for Niagara region has been calculated to be $17.99/hour. If an employer’s total compensation package includes benefits such as dental and prescription drugs, the living wage can be lowered by about $1.50/hour. Learn more about Niagara’s living wage at www.wipeoutpoverty.ca
Niagara-area employers interested in becoming living wage certified can contact the Ontario Living Wage Network for more information at www.ontariolivingwage.ca
