Sales force

Back in April, Retail BC president and chief executive officer Mark Startup took exception to provincial New Democrat calls for a minimum wage increase. Said Startup in a news release, "A 25% hike to the minimum wage rate is completely unnecessary in a competitive labour market where retailers are already paying staff over and above the $8 minimum wage. Better to support working British Columbia through continued tax relief and a robust economy that pushes incomes upward." But it seems at least some of the association's members disagree. A survey posted on Retail BC's Website asks visitors whether "the Provincial Government should increase the minimum wage?" The result: 68 percent say yes, compared with 24 percent who say no and 8 percent who either don't know or don't care. Fancy that!