The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network is pleased to announce that Elmwood has become a certified living wage employer at the Champion level.
Elmwood is a custom, high-end cabinetry brand with a reputation for fine craftsmanship that stretches back to its beginnings in 1973. The Elmwood team of artisans and experts lends a unique human touch to every project, working with designers through a prestigious dealer network across North America to help create iconic kitchens, baths, and built-in cabinets for discerning consumers and lovers of beauty and refinement. They are based in St. Catharines and currently have 293 employees.
“It has been my goal since the day I began at Elmwood to become a living wage employer to be able to allow our employees to afford living in our region and to add to their happiness of enjoying life outside of our walls,” says Marzena Musz, Human Resources Director at Elmwood.
“We’re pleased to see on-going support from local employers who recognize the value and benefits of paying at least a living wage. Paying a living wage is direct action to address poverty and helps people afford the cost of living,” says Jennifer Gauthier, Vice Chair, Niagara Poverty Reduction Network.
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 2021 living wage for Niagara region has been calculated to be $18.90/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
The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network is a collective of over 30 agencies and individuals working to wipe out poverty in Niagara through education, collaboration, and advocacy to address poverty’s root causes.
