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(L to R) United Way executive director Wayne Green, Mt Lehman Credit Union GM Gene Blishen, Credit Union board member Chris Sihota, Credit Union finance administrator Lynn Dojack, Credit Union board member Chris Bodner

20150728_123343[1]Mount Lehman Credit Union is now the third business in the Fraser Valley to be accredited as a living wage employer.

Fraser Valley Living Wage coordinator Allison Homer says it just goes to show that small businesses can make it work without having too much burden on the bottom line.

“Although the living wage in the Fraser Valley is $17.27 an hour, we do account for benefits, so if employers are paying benefits to their employees, the wage they actually need to pay is lower.”

Living wage is the what two parents of a family of four each need to earn to be able to provide basic needs.

Credit union general manager Gene Blishen says being accredited means more than just making sure his own staff make the living wage.

“The living wage accreditation is not only for poverty alleviation for salary or benefits, but it’s also who you do business with. So you need to also vet other businesses you have contracts with, that they are also living wage or moving towards that direction.”

That can include anything from cleaning staff to delivery people.