Nieuport Aviation certified as living wage employer

The Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN) has announced that Nieuport Aviation is officially a certified living wage employer, making it the first aviation entity in Ontario to become certified.

Nieuport Aviation has committed to paying its staff, at minimum, the Toronto living wage amount of $23.15 an hour. Nieuport Aviation is the owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport’s passenger terminal. Serving one of the most culturally diverse cities in North America, Nieuport works hard to build a supportive and inclusive community for its employees, and paying a living wage is one way they do that.

Neil Pakey, President and CEO of Nieuport Aviation, shared why becoming a certified living wage employer was important: “this recognises the intrinsic value of every one of our employees, ensuring that they can meet their basic needs, support their families, and live with dignity. By providing a fair and liveable wage, we are demonstrating our commitment to social responsibility, equality, and fairness in the workplace.

“Attracting and retaining talent has been a challenge for many players in the industry as interest in air travel rebounds following the pandemic,” Pakey continues. “Across the global aviation value chain, companies are looking closely at solutions to meet this returning demand. For Nieuport, over and above our strong commitment to our employees, being certified as a living wage employer makes good sense from this perspective.”

A living wage is calculated by the OLWN to show how much a worker must earn per hour to make ends meet and enjoy modest participation in their community. The calculations gather living expenses for three types of households: two adults supporting two small children, a single parent, and a single adult. The results are then aggregated and include any applicable government taxes, transfers, and benefits.

“In the past, we’ve seen new living wage certifications bring about more interest in the surrounding business community. We’re hopeful this commitment by Nieuport will start a chain reaction among employers on Toronto’s waterfront. We are grateful for Nieuport’s leadership,” says Anne Coleman, programme manager with the OLWN.