A "living wage" is a subjective construct that, even if we define it as
objectively as we can, has no business being solved at the city contract
level. Like Mark said, this is an employee/employer issue solved at the
company level...... not an issue for the city to stick their nose into. No
doubt it will eventually pass, however, knowing the growing socialist
tendencies of this city.
We already have a minimum wage in this state. A minimum wage amounts to a
tax on employers for workers who lack substantive skills that would allow
them to get a better paying job. Be that as it may, if the answer to poverty
or other social ills is the implementation of a minimum wage, or even a
"living wage," then let's stop doing it half-way......... and let's set the
"living wage" at a point where everybody makes, ohhhhhh, say,
hmmmmmmmm...... like $30,000 a year. And $10,000 annually for every kid they
have. That ought to do riddance to the "social problem" associated with low
wages, right?
Of course it won't, because the market can't withstand that. But,
Minneapolis, with it's anti-business-if-it's-a-"good-idea" mentality takes
yet another step toward a model of wealth redistribution that puts the city
in line with the other uber-liberal enclaves they emulate. Gag.
It is not incumbent on an employer to pay a "living wage" nor is it
imcumbent on the city to choose contractors in order to engineer a "living
wage" in the city. if an employee can't live on a wage an employer gives,
they need to find a wage they can live on. A "living wage" is what an
individual can live on, and it is incumbent on the individual to find
themselves a wage they can live on, considering their expenses (housing,
food, children, etc.). If an individual isn't making a "living wage" they
either need to find one, orlive within the wage they have.
Mike Thompson
Windom
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Hanson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "mpls" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2005 7:31 AM
Subject: [Mpls] Living wage policy for Minneapolis
Nikki Carlson wrote:
A living wage policy for Minneapolis:
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/10/07_scheckt_wage/<http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/10/07_scheckt_wage/>
Ostrow: is supportive
Zerby: is supportive
Progressive MN: supports it, is pushing it
Mpls Central Labor Union: supports it, is pushing it
several faith organizations: support it
McLaughlin: fully supports it
Rybak: isn't sure...
What's the deal?
**********************************
Nikki, legitimate questions about the new policy were cited in the story.
Does your 'what's the deal' comment indicate that because other
individuals and groups support the new policy, Mayor Rybak needs to fall
in line?
Re: Council President Ostrow, I didn't see his unqualified endorsement of
the policy in the story that was attached. Here's what the story says:
Council President Paul Ostrow says he supports the concept but isn't sure
he supports the entire ordinance. He says council members need to be
careful that they don't harm economic growth within the city.
"If there are provisions that might impact development potential in
certain parts of our city where our constituents are really advocating for
redevelopment, we need to be straight and honest about that," Ostrow said.
"I think we need to make improvements in the ordinance but it's important
that those choices are out there in front for people."
In my capitalist mind, it raises a question about the role of government
(again). Should the City of Minneapolis be in the business of engaging
reputable vendors who will provide high quality goods and services for the
best possible price, or should the city be trying to remedy a serious
social problem through vendor micro-management?
For the record, I'm gay, and I have comparable questions about monitoring
a vendor's employee benefit programs as they relate to domestic partners.
I have personal knowledge of a large, prominent company with whom the city
does business, where entry level pay rates for some clerical employees are
below the rates named in the policy. Those clerical employees are
represented by a union.
I'm not defending low rates of pay for anybody - I have no idea how adults
survive on $10.00 an hour. But, I don't know that it's the city's role to
turn that around. Vendors who might otherwise be very good may not be
willing to open up their books and comply with this proposal.
A person's rate of pay and benefits, within statutory boundaries, is still
a matter of negotiation between the employer and employee (who might be
represented by a bargaining group). That's called offer and acceptance,
and that's how people form contracts. It's hard for me to see how a
client of the employer should have a hand in that negotiation.
Pondering difficult questions in Prospect Park
Mark Hanson
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PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
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E-Democracy
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