2009 Living Wage

The Living Wage, based on the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), is as of January 1st, 2009, at $10.31 an hour for employees with health benefits and $11.57 for those without. Currently, the Living Wage in the city of Buffalo applies to all city employees and employees of companies that contract with the City, due to a law passed over 10 years ago through City Hall. CEJ fought long and hard to see the law upheld and in 2007 pressured public representatives to not only enforce their own policy, but to amend the law to include the COLA.

The New Year, including the impending "Greatest Depression," offers an opportunity to reflect on the need for innovative initiatives to stimulate the economy and protect ALL Americans, not just the obscenely wealthy. We have seen what an unregulated Market can offer, economic chaos and social devastation. The bailout of Wall Street and the "Big 3" Automotive Manufactures are too recent to see fully the ripple effect of those "stimulus" packages, however, it's not too recent to watch CEO's walk away from their failed financial institutions with tax payers money and the freedom of immense wealth. The Wall Street bailout or stimulus package were intended to, oddly enough, stimulate, boost, breath new life into the economy, and instead were pumped back into the pockets of the very same individuals who created the mess to begin with, and back to individuals who are more likely to save or invest their money then SPEND their money.

Living Wages. Even as we watch Wall Street burn, their still exists severe reservations and criticism regarding alternative stimulus options. It's a fairly simple argument; Pay low-wage workers more than a minimum wage. Low-wage earners are more likely to spend their money locally, boosting Main Streets everywhere. The fear is that Living Wages will destroy jobs, but their is no proof of this. Researchers have returned to Baltimore, Maryland, the first city to enact a living wage law back in the early '90's and have shown that job loss due to Living Wages is statistically negligible.

Truly beyond any economic argument, is the moral argument. It seems in direct defiance of all faiths to employ individuals at wage levels that KEEP them in POVERTY. We are a Country that places defines self worth by employment and material wealth, and yet, our policy makers, our public representatives are more than willing to veto legislation that would allow those who work to make livable wages. This is truly about what is fair and just for all, not just the few. It's unclear whatever happened to inalienable rights.


For basic facts on Living Wages, please see the fact sheet created by the Economic Policy Institute.