...Read the press release
ISSUE: LIVING WAGE
As a faith-based organization, we see this as an issue of justice. CIOP has led the fight to end
predatory lending practices and has helped low and moderate income people purchase a home.
We have fought for night bus service in Springfield, Illinois so those without cars and people with
disabilities are not trapped at night. We work to help family farmers who practice responsible and
sustainable agriculture. It is within this context that we are endorsing a living wage.
The development and moneyed interests are certainly being represented in our government and in this arena.
We represent those who believe that this arena should benefit the entire community. We represent
those who believe in hard work and see the benefits to the community and to the arena in
paying a fair wage. We represent an inter-faith community that is unique in our area bringing
together people of conscience to work for a just and prosperous community.
WHAT IS LIVING WAGE?
The term "living wage" is fluid. The actual amount varies from community to community based upon the cost of living in that community.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, in 2006, an individual seeking a one-bedroom apartment in Bloomington would need
to earn $9.52/hour to meet federal guidelines that individuals not spend more than 30% of his/her gross income for rent. There are many methodologies for determining what a living wage is in a community - we believe basic housing costs is an appropriate way - but there are others such as an increased percentage over poverty levels.
Living Wage seeks to responsibly and affordably raise the hourly rate
for workers contracted or sub-contracted to the City of Bloomington,
Illinois. This specifically includes part-time workers employed by the
City (school crossing guards and City Hall janitors) and the hundreds of employees for the US Cellular Coliseum.
An anti-living wage argument raised by some is it shouldn't apply for part-time workers. We couldn't disagree more! One of the leading causes of poverty in central Illinois is underemployment. We are aware all too well that many low income citizens string together multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. In fact, we are aware of homeless citizens who work at the Coliseum to survive. Shouldn't our community help them make a living wage?
Jobs with the City of Bloomington should be a means out of
poverty and not a means of perpetuating poverty.
Our community has a right and an obligation to set wages for our
own workforce.
The 2006 Living Wage rate of $9.52 per hour equates to only about
10 cents per ticket at the new arena.
PROGRESS
The Living Wage campaign began last January 2004. Hundreds of residents have attended community meetings and smaller meetings with Bloomington Aldermen. In November 2004 the Bloomington City Council voted 4-4, and unfortunately the outgoing Mayor vetoed the living wage ordinance.
Since that vote, CIOP has focused on securing a Living Wage policy for the Coliseum from the private management company (Central Illinois Arena Management) contracted to oversee operations. To date CIAM has refused to negotiate with CIOP regarding living wage. CIOP continues to create a sense of urgency for CIAM by engaging in a direct action at management offices with over 100 residents. The organization continues to develop strategy to share the living wage concept with the larger community, and engage in ways to compel CIAM to negotiate.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIVING WAGE :
For more information on Living Wage go to CIOP Resources
