by DC Jobs with Justice | Jan 29, 2015 | Minimum Wage Increase
A new report from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute confirmed what we’ve been hearing from workers: wages in low-wage jobs are stagnating, unemployment is lasting even longer, and lots of workers who want to work full-time can only find part-time jobs. Already this year, we’ve seen workers from Walmart to Georgetown University stand up and demand the right to work full-time, since part-time work at their already meager wages simply isn’t enough to get by. Workers in low-wage jobs know firsthand that $11.50/hour isn’t enough to live in the District, and our Councilmembers shouldn’t have any illusions that the minimum wage increase has fixed low-wages. We have lots of work to do. From DCFPI: DC’s economy may be well on the road to recovery from the Great Recession, but a look beneath the surface shows that many residents are being left behind. Low-wage workers have seen their wages fall, while higher-wage workers have seen earnings grow by thousands of dollars per year. And workers without a college degree continue to experience levels of unemployment – and especially long-term unemployment – that are far higher than in 2007. While DC has a number of strengths to build on, such as the increase in the minimum wage to $11.50 an hour, our new report finds that more needs to be done to strengthen literacy and training programs to help more residents earn a living...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 11, 2014 | Actions & Events, Minimum Wage Increase, Paid Sick And Safe Days, Press
On July 1st the coalition of workers, business owners, faith leaders, labor organizations and community groups came together to celebrate the increase in the minimum wage and the extended legislation of paid sick days that they worked so hard to pass through the City Council. The press conference was held in front of Flava @ Wa-zo-bia Restaurant. We had an incredible turnout from various press outlets and some of our own were highlighted. Check these out! NBC 4– “DC Minimum Wage Increase Begins”: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/New-Minimum-Wage-DC-Money-Wages-Pay-265381311.html Washington Post– “D.C. Minimum Wage Measures Won’t Make 2014 Ballot”: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/mike-debonis/wp/2014/07/01/d-c-minimum-wage-measures-unlikely-to-make-2014-ballot/ WNEW 99.1FM – “D.C.’s New Minimum Wage Goes Into Effect Today”: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/mike-debonis/wp/2014/07/01/d-c-minimum-wage-measures-unlikely-to-make-2014-ballot/ City Paper– “The Minimum Wage Will Increase Tomorrow in D.C.”: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2014/06/30/the-minimum-wage-will-increase-tomorrow-in-d-c/ In the Capital– “D.C.’s Minimum Wage Is Going to Increase on Tuesday”: http://inthecapital.streetwise.co/2014/06/30/minimum-wage-increase-dc-950-july-1/ CSN Washington– “D.C.’s New Minimum Wage: What to Know”: http://www.csnwashington.com/article/dcs-new-minimum-wage-what-know WJLA-ABC 7– “Minimum Wage Jumps to $9.50, Will Continue to Climb Until 2016”: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/07/d-c-minimum-wage-jumps-to-9-50-will-continue-to-climb-until-2016-104679.html Voice of Russia– “DC Rolls Out Annual Minimum Wage Increase”: http://voiceofrussia.com/us/2014_07_02/DC-Rolls-Out-Annual-Minimum-Wage-Increase-4077/ Telemundo– “Aumentan Salario Mínimo en D.C.”: http://www.holaciudad.com/aumentan-salario-minimo-dc-n461774 Washington Hispanic– “Minimum Wage Hike, a Triumph for Washington DC”: http://www.washingtonhispanic.com/nota18350.html WYTV– “States, Including Ohio, Debate Minimum Wage”:...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 9, 2014 | Actions & Events, Minimum Wage Increase, Paid Sick And Safe Days, Press
On July 1st the coalition of workers, business owners, faith leaders, labor organizations and community groups came together to celebrate the increase in the minimum wage and the extended legislation of paid sick days that they worked so hard to pass through the City Council. The press conference was held in front of Flava @ Wa-zo-bia Restaurant. Speakers included D.C. workers, Joslyn Williams, President of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO; Elissa Silverman, former policy analyst at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, Rev. Graylan Hagler from Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, and Monica Kamen from Jews United for Justice. We had a great press turnout and a great turnout of supporters! Thank you to all the speakers, the workers, and everyone who came to support DC worker’s rights! Thank you to all the people that stayed to canvass the neighborhood after the press conference to ensure that workers are fully aware of these rights. Check out the rest of the photos of this event on our Facebook...
