Viewpoint Living wage legislation can give working poor
a stake in the boom
By BRIAN
OSHAUGHNESSY
Im writing during the 25th
hour of a fast from solid food. At this point Id eat roadkill passed over
a Bic lighter. Thats what my growling stomach says. Actually the hunger
isnt bad, just a slight headache. In 15 hours Ill eat again,
sharing a communal lunch at Albanys Wilborn Temple.
The experience is part of the New York State Labor-Religion
Coalitions annual Forty Hour Fast for the Common Good. This
years focus is on the growing amalgam known as the working
poor: men and women who often work two jobs but still live below the
poverty line, unaffected by Wall Streets boom.
New Yorks minimum wage is a guaranteed poverty wage, $5.15
an hour for most workers. The federal minimum wage is the same. It adds up to
$10,000 a year for millions of Americans.
Ive been told by friends around the country that they hope
our fast will one day be a national happening, a yearly prophetic ritual to
counter the hegemony of amoral capitalism. I wonder, in the reflection time I
schedule for myself during the fast, how well ever take back control of
public policy from the corporate and political power brokers who now define
wealth as an entitlement and poverty as personal failure.
For me, fasting is about both personal and societal
transformation. Gandhi and Cesar Chavez come to mind. Jesus fast
culminated in his acceptance of a transforming priority that would steer the
rest of his life: To bring good news to the poor ...
Today in New York state one of four children and one of six adults
live in poverty. This means poor health, poor education, few choices, early
death. Very bad news. Yet in over 50 percent of all poor families with
children, at least one adult works. Seventy percent of New Yorks minimum
wage workers are adults, not teenagers getting their first work experience at
Burger King.
Albanys Roman Catholic bishop, Howard Hubbard, spoke at the
opening of the fast, which was held on the loading dock of the Regional Food
Bank. Instead of leading to self-reliance for all, he said,
todays economic priorities are creating an underclass of overworked
and hopeless poor. With all of New Yorks affluence, this is utterly
wrong.
Food Bank Director Mark Quandt welcomed us to his warehouse, which
supplies hundreds of food banks and soup kitchens. He told us of a recent
national survey of food banks that revealed that 40 percent of persons needing
their help come from homes where one or more adults works.
By midafternoon I was edgy. Thoughts of snacks were driving me to
distraction, but so was the memory of a large graphic that was hung from food
cartons at the opening of the fast. It showed that a number of CEOs, like
American Express Harvey Golub and GEs Jack Welch, are making more
than $20,000 an hour.
I was motivated to initiate the second defining activity of the 40
hours: contacting elected officials about laws that directly benefit the
working poor. Why not go right to the top of New York States Senate and
Assembly?
After two referrals, an alert young man in Senate Majority Leader
Joseph Brunos office asked how he could help. Could you tell me the
senators position on the minimum wage? I asked.
Thats handled at the federal level, he said.
Do you know there are seven states with a minimum wage
higher than $5.15 an hour? And that Oregons minimum is $6.15? I
asked.
Long pause. Let me get back to you.
I was angry. In December New York legislators voted themselves a
$22,000 salary increase. The amount jumped to well over $30,000 when leadership
stipends were included. Legislators emphasized it was the first increase since
1989, and that the biggest amount was catching up with inflation. Because New
Yorks minimum wage is not indexed to inflation, however, its real value
is lower today than it was during the entire 1961-1984 period.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silvers office got my next call.
My name is ... It turns out the woman in his press office
graduated from high school with my brother. She didnt understand my
question about living wage legislation, an alternative to minimum wage that is
sweeping across the country.
Did you know that living wage ordinances have been passed in
17 cities and organizing campaigns are underway in two dozen states and
municipalities? She sounded incredulous. Oaklands living wage
is now $9.25 without benefits, $8.00 an hour with benefits, to increase every
year with inflation, I said.
I didnt know that. I thought New York would be leading
the way.
Pressing on, I called Labor Committee Chair Nicholas Spano.
Im with a coalition that is fasting for 40 hours.
Oh, I read about that, a woman said, kindly.
I continued, We believe $10,000 a year is an immoral and
indecent amount for hard working New Yorkers to try and support a family.
I know I couldnt, she responded.
Even two incomes at the minimum wage arent
enough, I added. Well, she said, sometimes you have to
go under the table.
No, I thought, its time to put higher minimum wage and
living wage legislation on the table --; in New York and across the country.
Only then can the working poor earn a living, rather than poverty.
Brian OShaugnessy is coordinator of the New York State
Labor-Religion Coalition.
National Catholic Reporter, May 7,
1999
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