Whistler Blackcomb to raise its minimum wage to $13 this spring
The minimum wage for employees that work at Whistler Blackcomb ski resort will increase beyond the new minimum that will come into force this spring.
In an email, Vail Resorts told Daily Hive the resort’s minimum wage will increase from $11.35 per hour to $13.00 per hour, which exceeds the new provincial minimum wage of $12.65 that will go into effect on June 1.
The increase follows growing calls for more purpose-built affordable employee housing and even unionization amongst a group of ski instructors.
Additionally, for years, Whistler has been experiencing a labour shortage, which was exacerbated by the federal government’s visa changes in 2015 that allow Australians to only apply for a two-year visa once.
“We are continuously reviewing how we further invest in you, including competitive compensation, housing, benefits and wellness programs, ongoing leadership development and career growth opportunities throughout Vail Resorts,” reads a letter by Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz that was sent to employees this week. “We anticipate additional announcements on all these fronts as we head into next season.”
Whistler Blackcomb has a workforce about 4,000 staff during its peak season, but according to a spokesperson there are different pay groups for the resort’s wide variety of jobs. Most entry level minimum wages begin at $11.35, although minimums for different jobs and trades vary throughout the company.
However, Whistler Blackcomb is not the only Vail Resorts property to see a minimum wage increase, as hourly wages were also recently raised at its American resort properties.
Like all other employers in the province, Whistler Blackcomb will have to raise its minimum wage each year to through 2021 to abide with annual provincial minimum wage increases.
The schedule of increases mandated by the provincial government is as follows:
- June 1, 2018: $12.65 an hour ($1.30 increase)
- June 1, 2019: $13.85 ($1.20 increase)
- June 1, 2020: $14.60 ($0.75 increase)
- June 1, 2021: $15.20 ($0.60 increase)
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