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While living wage provisions generally cover only a small number of employees, successful campaigns can be used as a springboard for broader campaigns that apply to more agencies and cover more workers. Local living wage campaigns also build momentum for an increase in the minimum wage at the state and federal level.
State : The Illinois Legislature, for example, introduced a statewide living wage initiative in 2001. The measure would require employers who receive government contracts to provide a living wage in Illinois. The Director of Labor will index the wage annually, according to 100% poverty guidelines set by director. The bill passed in Assembly, and is currently being heard in the Senate.
Federal : In April 2001, Rep. Gutierrez (D-IL) introduced the Federal Living Wage Responsibility Act. H. R. 1457 would require that the Federal Government and any employer under a Federal contract for an amount exceeding $10,000, must provide an hourly wage at or above Federal poverty level plus fringe benefits.
Linking living wages with equity in California : An alliance of
five organizations: Center
on Policy Initiatives in San Diego; East Bay Alliance for Sustainable
Economy in Oakland; L.A.
Alliance for a New Economy in Los Angeles; PolicyLink in Oakland; and
Working Partnerships USA
in San Jose, are pushing for policies that will link public subsidies with
accountability in low-income neighborhoods. The project, California Public
Subsidies (CAPS), brings together regional alliances of community, labor,
and advocacy partners to advance equity policies at a local and statewide
level. They are working to translate their local processes into universal
tools that can be applied by either local organizations or by government
authority.
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