"We
only call it a 'recession' or 'depression' when it affects enough
people, but many families have been working and living in poverty for
too long. It's time we stop accepting poverty wages for anyone. Our
work here in Tennessee is an important building block in the campaign
to raise the federal minimum wage to $10 in 2010 and assure living
wages for all workers."-- Megan Macaraeg, Mid TN Jobs with Justice & Let Justice Roll
Your emails, phone calls and turnout made the difference -- derailing a State Bill that would have outlawed local living wage ordinances. Special congratulations to Let Justice Roll members Mid TN Jobs with Justice and Workers Interfaith Network.
Ashley Williamson, a Nashville public hospital worker, testified before the April 21 House Subcommittee hearing the bill, "I am a single mother, a full-time worker, and a full-time student. I live in public housing. And I don't think it's right that I make less than a living wage."
When House Rep. Stacey Campfield, who favored the bill, asked organizer Siobhan Sargent why in these times living wages are justified, Siobhan said, "My faith tells me in these times that we should be concerned primarily about 'the least of these.'"
Faith, community and labor leaders gathered later at Nashville's City Hall and unveiled a faith-based Living Wage Covenant
Growing Movement for Nashville Living Wage
After a rally by faith, labor and community leaders with city workers, the Nashville Metro Council passed a Resolution on April 21 opposing state legislation to repeal living wage with a powerful 25-0 vote (with 9 abstentions).
The resolution stated that "one proven, cost-effective method for raising the living standards in local communities is the enactment of living wage and prevailing wage ordinances" and said the proposed "state legislation violates a basic principal of representative democracy, which is to enable the legislative body to make decisions for the betterment and protection of its constituents."
The Resolution was sponsored by at-large Councilwoman Megan Barry, who plans to file Metro living wage legislation later this year. Barry said, "At the very least, we at Metro should not be paying workers a wage that keeps them working in poverty."
"The Metro Council vote is a strong step toward a living wage in Nashville," says organizer Megan Macaraeg. "We have been going door to door, visiting Metro workers in their homes, walking neighborhoods where hard-working families struggle in abject poverty. These times of economic crisis have only exacerbated conditions faced by working people for decades, as the real value of the minimum wage plummeted. I can think of no better way for faith, labor and community leaders to stand together with working people, than to hear their stories and come together to fight for living wages."
To join the Nashville Living Wage Campaign, please contact Siobhan or Megan. See contact information above.
Shelby County, TN Prevailing Wage:
Shelby County is considering adopting a prevailing wage ordinance and Commissioners need to hear from supporters. For more information visit Worker's Interfaith Network.
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