Wages Are Insulting

I am shocked and insulted when I open the local newspapers classified section and look at the employment want ads. There are actually a decent amount of jobs listed but the starting salary is completely insulting. With the cost of living in Kelowna there should not be jobs for $8.00-$9.00 an hour! Sure I understand that would be great money for a teenager, living at home with no responsibilities or bills, but what about the families trying to raise children?

I see many office, construction and auto detailing jobs advertising a starting wage of $8.00-$9.00 an hour. These are positions that many have paid large amounts of money to gain the skills necessary to hold such a position. I truly think either minimum wage needs to go up (alot!) or the cost of living needs to go down. Without it leveling off, Kelowna will be nothing more than a retirement community as none of the young people will be able to afford to live here.

I was born in Kelowna (in the 70's) and yet I feel I am being forced to move just to get away from the high cost of living and low wages. I went to school to gain up to date computer and secretarial skills and yes I do have a job but it doesn't pay nearly enough or what I am worth. I am also trying to raise children on my own which is no easy task, throw in a crappy salary and high rent and you have a life full of no extras, depression, financial problems and an unhappy family life.

I don't blame anyone for my circumstances but have a message to ALL employers. If you want good, honest, hardworking people on your team, you have to pay them properly. It's like the old saying goes...You get what you pay for!

A.B.