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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Champaign County Adopts Living Wage for Its Workers |
Current rating: 0 |
by Mike Lehman
(No verified email address) |
25 Feb 2002
Modified: 19 Apr 2002 |
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Champaign County government adopted a Living Wage resolution tonight, February 25, 2002, that will eventually bring all its full-time workers up to at least the Living Wage ($8.70 currently). |
We did it!
Champaign County government adopted a Living Wage resolution tonight, February 25, 2002, that will eventually bring all its full-time workers up to at least the Living Wage ($8.70 currently). This could not have happened without the participation of many, many people and the 40+ organizations that make up the Champaign County Living Wage Association.
The meeting room was standing room only. There was an hour worth of testimony from a diverse group of people, many of whom were clearly not used to speaking to the public and their elected officials. This was an empowering moment for everyone involved and speaks volumes to the power of organized citizenry to make a difference in the community and society we live in.
It should be noted that Champaign County is now the third local unit of government to adopt a Living Wage policy, following the C-U Public Health District and the Champaign County Housing Authority. In each case, the numbers affected are relatively few; about 30 workers will be directly affected at the county. But the real impact has been our bringing this idea into the public discourse.
For some, directly talking about how much (or little) the workers at the bottom of the pay scale earn is very threatening. But most people realize how necessary this discussion is once they understand the implications for our society. And this was clear tonight.
Going by what I remember, there were only 4 No votes against the LW. Three or four board members were absent. So this means that the LW passed by a vote of 18 or 19 to 4. All but one Democrat voted Yes. A majority of the Republicans present voted Yes. Please remember those of both parties who supported the Living Wage when it comes time to make your decision about who you will cast ballots for in the future.
This was not an easy decision to make. The nursing home is running a deficit, although paying workers a Living Wage will be only a small part of what is causing the deficit. We will need to support the proposed referendum on nursing home renovation that will likely be on the ballot in the November election. We need to contact elected officials at the state and federal level to support reimbursement for care received by nursing home residents that more closely reflects the costs of providing that care. And we need to support the board members that made this difficult decision against the wishes of the News-Gazette.
Thank you everyone for the great job you have done. We look forward to your support as we take the Living Wage to the cities of Champaign and Urbana next.
A good example set is a lesson learned. Let's make sure that the message and the idea of the Living Wage will continue to expand the benefits it brings to workers, their families, local government and business. The Living Wage is a good idea that builds better communities.
Thank you,
Mike Lehman |
See also:
http://www.prairienet.org/livingwage/
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Great job to living wage folks! |
by Peter Miller
peterm (nospam) shout.net (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
26 Feb 2002
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Mike captured the meeting well--it was a great event, last night! The living wage coalition deserves congratulations!
A couple additional details:
The vote was 18-3, with Knott (R), Collings (R), and Beckett (D) voting against.
Steve Beckett was the only Democrat to vote against the living wage, and he did everything possible to derail it, including offering a substitute resolution (which was voted down). Beckett wanted to have it both ways--he wanted to portray himself as a supporter of the living wage, while voting--and working-- against it. He even stated, "I support the living wage, I support the resolution," just moments before casting his vote in opposition.
Champaign County Auditor and Democratic Party Chairperson Gerrie Parr presented a moving speech in support of the living wage, pointing out that the county had recently awarded large raises to the county's two top managers and to managers of the Champaign County Nursing Home. Most of the approximately 30 people who will be affected by the living wage work at the Nursing Home. Parr also pointed out that awarding raises to the upper administrators (which the board had recently done) puts more pressure on the nursing home's budget than does establishing a living wage for the lowest-paid employees.
Board member Ralph Langenheim voted in favor of the living wage, but he and fellow board member Jenny Putman drew attention to the funding crisis that the nursing home faces, and they urged the public to take action to adequately fund the nursing home. The state budget proposed by Governor Ryan last Tuesday includes an 8% cut in payments to public welfare agencies like the nursing home. Putman encouraged meeting attendees to contact their legislators and encourage them to vote against those budget cuts.
Notably, a large number or republicans joined with demoratic leaders voting in favor, including the ultra-fiscal conservative Scott Tapley, who spoke in favor of the proposal. Tapley said that while he opposes minimum wage laws, he doesn't view a government body mandating minimum wages for its own employees to be a bad thing. He stated taht he believes that the resolution will finance itself by reducing expenses associated with the high turnover in the lowest-paid positions.
This is a notable achievement for the Champaign County Board. Call your representatives and thank them. http://www.advancenet.net/~coclerk/members.htm
http://www.advancenet.net/~coclerk/countyboard.htm
Call and thank the living wage coalition, too: 217-344-5609 |
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url changes |
by Radical Librarian
radlib (nospam) urbana.indymedia.org (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
19 Apr 2002
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I just got word from the County Clerk's office that their web site's url has changed to:
http://www.champaigncountyclerk.com/ |
