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Photo by Jason Kryk / Windsor Star

The minimum wage increase was primarily about trying to get more people out of poverty and closer to earning a living wage, said Brian Hogan, president of the Windsor and District Labour Council.

“The minimum wage goes up and you may not be at the food bank as often,” he said.

It is understandable that someone making $16 per hour or a similar “challenging wage” may feel slighted and also be seeking a pay hike on the heels of the substantial jump in minimum wage, he said.

“Labour leaders, they are big boys and girls,” Hogan said. “They understand how they will be pushed by the rank and file who want a better lifestyle and working conditions. It’s a challenge for the unions, but also the employees. Some of them have been stuck at $17 (an hour) — or maybe even $14.25 — for years.”

Given what CEOs earn, or other leaders of large corporations, the push for higher pay reflects that it’s time to level the wage playing field a bit, he said.

“The real issue is some of these corporation bosses and owners,” Hogan said. “The income gap of this generation has never been greater. The top CEOs made more this year by January 2, than the average worker will make all year.”

If union members are pushing for pay hikes at the bargaining table that equate to the minimum wage hike, there are several factors which should be considered if it makes sense, he said.

“It depends on the history of negotiations, previous contracts, what other comparable employees earn in the sector, cost of living and other (benefits) workers want,” Hogan said. “That’s how (contract) proposals get put together.”