Questions
& Answers
on the Dane County Living Wage Campaign
Q: What is the Living Wage
Campaign?
The Living Wage Campaign is an effort by a diverse coalition of
community groups to require local government contractors and
firms receiving public economic assistance to pay their employees
family-supporting wages.
Q: Who will
be affected by a living wage campaign?
The living wage campaign is aiming to require coverage of
employees of publicly subsidized firms and city, county and
Madison Metropolitan School District contractors. A high
percentage of workers who will benefit from the ordinance are
employed in the social services including home healthcare
workers, child care workers and nursing home workers.
Q: How is a living wage defined?
We intend to seek a wage of 110% of the poverty level as defined
by the federal government for a family of four. The amount is
approximately $8.50 an hour plus health insurance.
Q: Why a living wage campaign?
We believe that the time has come for local units of government
to realize that they should not be perpetuating poverty by paying
their employees and the employees of those they do business with
wages which fall below the poverty line. Of all employers,
governments should best know the folly of this bad practice.
Poverty-level wages cause workers to utilize social services;
services which are most often paid for by local units of
government. Why shouldn't workers earn living wages, so that they
can be self-supporting members of the community rather than
people who, because of inadequate take home pay, require
government provided social services?
Q: Is the Madison area the only place to
propose legislation like this?
No. Chicago, Los Angeles, Albuquerque and Denver, among others,
have ongoing ballot initiatives or pending ordinances. Baltimore,
Portland and Jersey City already have living wage laws in effect,
as does Milwaukee. It is time for the City of Madison, Dane
County and the Madison Metropolitan School District to join these
cities in providing better wages for their workers.
Q: What are some benefits of a living wage?
Higher wages would increase the tax base and provide more money
for government services. Living wages would decrease the amount
of employee turnover for high turnover occupations such as home
health care workers. Greater stability of the work force would
mean better assistance for those who require government services,
such as the disabled. Better wages would allow people to pay for
their own child care.
Q: Won't a living wage cause government
contractors to lay off workers?
No. There will always be a need for certain services. As long as
a need exists there will be businesses willing to bid on
contracts to provide those services. A living wage will serve to
level the playing field, allowing responsible contractors to
compete and discouraging privatization of public sector jobs.
Q: What groups are involved in the Living Wage
Campaign?
Along with the efforts of individual activists, religious groups
and community organizations, the Living Wage Campaign is being
organized by Progressive Dane and the South Central Federation of
Labor. As the Dane County chapter of the national New Party,
Progressive Dane is dedicated to the belief that involved and
organized citizens can make a difference in advancing a
progressive agenda. The South Central Federation of Labor is a
coordinating council for area labor unions which supports and
advances the interests of workers.
For More Information call
256-5111 or 257-4985
or email us at: LivingWage@SCFL.org