Tennessee

Contact:  Rev. Rebekah Jordan
Executive Director
Workers Interfaith Network
3035 Directors Row,
Buidling B, Suite 1207
Memphis, TN 38131
Phone: 901-332-3570  or 901-332-3532
Workers Interfaith Network
Contact:  Megan Macaraeg
Director
Mid Tennessee Jobs with Justice
c/o Nashville Friends Meeting
530 26th Ave North
Nashville, TN 37209-4137
Phone: 615-545-5056
Mid TN Jobs with Justice

Faith and labor leaders make case for living wages

By Theresa Laurence
Tennessee Register, Sep 4 2009
As the country celebrates Labor Day on Sept. 7, a national holiday dedicated to the achievements of the American worker, many low wage employees will not be enjoying a relaxing day off. Instead, they will be cleaning hotels, washing dishes, and stocking shelves for $7.25 an hour.

A full time worker earning minimum wage, which was raised from $6.55 to $7.25 in July, will make only $15,080 annually before taxes.

Group wants minimum wage at $10 an hour

WKRN 2, Jul 24 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - On the day the federal minimum wage increased from $6.55 to $7.25 an hour, one Nashville group says it should be $10 an hour.

The group Let Justice Roll rallied Friday at Legislative Plaza to make its point about pay.

Nashville Worker in Wall St. Journal Minimum Wage Story

By Kris Maher
Wall Street Journal, Jul 6 2009
Excerpt: The change is welcome to workers such as Walter Jasper, 48 years old, who earns $6.55 an hour at Shur Brite Hi Speed Car Wash in Nashville, Tenn. He has worked there for 14 years off and on. His wife earns $7 an hour working at a discount store and will also get an increase in her paycheck. Mr. Jasper said he and his wife will be late with their rent payment of $359 this month and that the extra income will be used to pay bills.

Measure To Ban Local Wage Increases Fails In House

AP, Apr 21 2009

A measure to prohibit local governments in Tennessee from imposing a minimum wage higher than the federal rate failed in a House subcommittee.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Charles Sargent of Franklin deadlocked on a 3-3 vote along partisan lines in the House Employee Affairs Subcommittee on Tuesday.

Council members take issue with legislators over living wage

By Nate Rau
Nashville City Paper, Apr 21 2009
Two at-large Metro Council members are pushing back at the state Legislature for pending legislation they say is inappropriate for Nashville and ought to be left to Council to decide.


Metro Council passed a memorializing resolution expressing its opposition to state legislation that would take away the ability for city and county legislative bodies to pass living wage laws.

Tennessee Living Wage Repeal Defeated; Momentum Builds for Nashville Living Wage

Apr 21 2009
"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
 

Living Wage Advocates Take Fight To Capitol

WSMV Channel 4, Apr 16 2009

Bill's Sponsor Says It's Necessary For State Job Preservation

Advocates took their fight to make sure workers make enough money to get by to the Legislature Monday.They wanted to lobby state representatives against House bill 311. The legislation would block local government from requiring private employers to pay a living wage other than the state or federally mandated minimum wage.The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep.

A level field for workers

Editorial 
Commercial Appeal, Apr 9 2009
Poverty is the toxic asset that can leave Memphis forever in need of a bailout. It's at the bottom of a myriad of problems in Memphis and Shelby County, where good opportunities to soften its blow should be seized. 
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