Living Wage

"There is nothing but a lack of social vision to prevent us from paying an
adequate wage to every American citizen… there is nothing except short
sidedness to prevent us from guaranteeing an annual minimum and livable
income for every American family." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Background Information: The idea of creating living wage ordinances in local
communities grew from a grassroots movement. In an effort to bring jobs to
our area, government and community leaders began offering financial
incentives to private employers. These incentives, in the form of tax
abatements and subsidies are paid for by tax dollars. The Cleveland Jobs with
Justice Living Wage Taskforce organized to fight for a living wage for
employees being paid by public money. Simply put, we believe people who
work for a living, ultimately being paid by our tax dollars, should earn a wage
that keeps them out of poverty.

The City of Cleveland and the City of Lakewood both adopted a Living Wage
Ordinance similar to ordinances and laws in on over 140 communities across
the country. A living wage goes above the minimum wage set by the state
government and is considered to be the amount of money an individual needs
to be able to maintain a minimal standard of living.

The Cuyahoga County Commissioners set a living wage for their employees but
did not for those companies who receive financial aid from the county or who
contract with county. We are currently working to pass two resolutions so
everyone working for the county either directly or through service providers
will be paid a living wage.

How is a Living Wage different from a minimum wage? A minimum wage set by
the state of Ohio reached $7.00 as of January 1, 2008 but it still remains at
$5.85 at the federal level. Neither amount is enough to meet the basic needs
for a single full time worker and is a fraction of what is needed for one who is
responsible for supporting a family. A living wage sets a standard closer to the
actual needs of a worker supporting a family. All government entities and
employers subsidized by public money should be paying a living wage. Our tax
dollars should not be spent on substandard earnings for us or our neighbors!

Would you like to get involved?

Please click here if you or your organization would like to endorse our Living
Wage Campaign in Cuyahoga County.

For more information, check out our Living Wage Resource page!