Thorold Community Credit Union is Niagara’s Latest Certified Living Wage Employer
Niagara, ON, January 23, 2023– United Way Niagara is pleased to announce that Thorold Community Credit Union has become a certified living wage employer at the Champion level. Thorold Community Credit Union has been proudly serving the Thorold community since 1948. They’ve provided quality financial services needed to grow Thorold residents’ prosperity. They aim to create a source of credit at a fair and reasonable rate of interest and strive to provide the opportunity for members to gain control of their economic and social conditions.
“Thorold Community Credit Union is Ontario’ s oldest community credit union. We have always tried to support our staff, but being small it has always been a challenge,” says Tim Whalen, CEO, Thorold Community Credit Union. “With today’s cost of living and inflation it is great to finally reach the milestone to qualify us as a living wage employer. If we can add any comfort level to our staff’s living conditions it makes us stronger as a working family.”
“Paying a living wage allows workers to feel empowered and financially secure, which in turn allows them to perform better in their job, improving the overall functionality of the business. It’s a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer,” says Isha Dadhwal, Living Wage Program Coordinator, United Way Niagara. “We are pleased that businesses in Niagara recognize the importance 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 current living wage rate for Niagara region is $19.80/hour.
Learn more about Niagara’s living wage at https://www.unitedwayniagara.org/living-wage-niagara. Niagara-area employers interested in becoming living wage certified can contact the Ontario Living Wage Network for more information at www.ontariolivingwage.ca
United Way Niagara is committed to promoting the Ontario Living Wage Network’s provincial living wage employer certification program. To date, 90 employers across Niagara have become living wage certified. Employers can use the living wage rate as a base, and know that they are paying an amount that allows for more than just surviving. To learn more about the certification process, contact Isha Dadhwal at isha@unitedwayniagara.org, or visit our website unitedwayniagara.org .
