Niagara has been certifying living wage employers at a furious rate this year, and the latest is Gales Gas Bar, with 15 locations across the area. 

They currently employ 22 full time and 76 part time staff. The full time staff are all paid at least the living wage–$17.99/hour–and have embarked on a wage increase and benefits plan to bring the part time staff up to the same over the next few years. 

Some employers are able to certify at the champion level, where they can demonstrate that all full time, part time and contracted staff are paid the living wage. Other businesses, especially those in industries where minimum wage models dominate, a phased implementation is needed. 

We look forward to announcing this family owned and operated business as a certified living wage employer at the Champion level. 

Here is the press release from the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gale’s Gas Bar Limited Certified as a Living Wage Supporter

The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network is pleased to announce that Gale’s Gas Bar Limited has become a certified living wage employer at the Supporter level.

This means that all of their full time staff are currently paid at least Niagara’s calculated living wage of $17.99/hour and they have committed to begin implementing a plan to work towards paying all part time employees a living wage.

Family owned and operated for over five decades, Gales Gas Bars Limited is a Niagara region based petroleum company that always has community at heart. They provide service across Niagara with 15 service stations, four convenience stores, wholesale fuel delivery, and home heating fuel delivery. They currently employ 22 full time and 76 part time staff.

“In retail gasoline where the industry standard is to pay minimum wage, we see the need for something more. We have paid over minimum wage since 2018, and became aware of Living Wage in early 2019. Since then we have thoroughly vetted how this will affect Gales. The financial commitment is substantial and must be taken in increments. We are implementing a full benefit package immediately.  We are then committed to increasing our frontline employees’ wages at regular increments over the next few years in order to meet Niagara’s calculated Living Wage. We are proud to be a Living Wage Supporter, and are aiming to become a Living Wage Champion. Gales is committed to a better Niagara – by supporting the community, and supporting our employees.  We aim to be one of Niagara’s Employers of Choice – an employer that offers a fantastic work culture and environment, attracting and retaining superior employees. This is a huge step in that direction”, says Jessica Friesen, Owner/Operator, Gales Gas Bar Limited.

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“We are very pleased to have Gales Gas Bar Limited demonstrate commitment to the living wage movement by signing on as Supporters,” says Glen Walker, Chair of the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network. “The Ontario Living Wage Network recognizes employers who have made the commitment to pay all employees at least the living wage. However, employers have the opportunity to phase in the implementation of the living wage over time. Employers recognized at the Supporter level pay full-time staff at least the living wage and have committed to raise the wages of their part-time workers.”