Restaurants Canada satisfied with Quebec minimum wage decision

Dec. 11, 2014, Montreal – Quebec labour minister Sam Hamad
has taken a fair and balanced approach with the announcement that general
minimum wage will rise 20 cents to $10.55 on May 1, 2015, said Restaurants Canada. 

Dec. 11, 2014, Montreal – Quebec labour minister Sam Hamad
has taken a fair and balanced approach with the announcement that general
minimum wage will rise 20 cents to $10.55 on May 1, 2015, said Restaurants Canada. 

Wages for employees who earn tips also will increase, from
$9.05 per hour to $9.20.

“Given the cost pressures that restaurant operators are
faced with, any increase in labour costs is hard to absorb or pass on to
customers, but today’s announcement is reasonable,” says Jean Lefebvre, Quebec
vice-president for Restaurants Canada, in a news release. “Keeping the increase
in line with inflation means that restaurant owners will continue to create
jobs and investment.”

Foodservice operators directly employ 268,700 people in
Quebec and are the number 1 employer when it comes to first-time jobs.

Restaurants Canada said it is also pleased the minister
recognizes the importance of a wage differential for employees who earn
gratuities. “A wage differential gives employers in our industry the
flexibility to manage their payroll to attract and retain employees in all
areas of the business, including those who do and do not earn tips,” said the
association in the release.