FROM THE TOMPKINS COUNTY
WORKERS CENTER
WORKERS CENTER
posted April 29, 2013
We're looking for as many people as possible to speak at one of the 2 hearings on Wednesday with regards to the County and Living Wages. Can speak up to five minutes, but certainly doesn't have to be that long.
See below for a bit of details!
3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
There will also be a short, 15 minute rally on behalf of Living Wages, in front of the DSS Bldg at 320 W. MLK/State Street (outside where the Hearing will take place) from 2:45 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2103.
In solidarity
Pete Meyers
This coming week, on Wednesday, May 1st, and Friday, May 3rd, are clear
examples of the movement-building the Tompkins County Workers' Center
(TCWC) is engaged with in Tompkins County with regards to Living Wages
for all people. And this week, in particular, we will need your help!
Dates and times to remember:
* Wednesday, May 1st, 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.: Tompkins County Legislature Livable
Wage Working Group is Receiving Public Input on the County and Living
Wage Issues (at Beverly Livesay Room at Department of Social Services Bldg, 320 W. MLK/State St., Ithaca);
As many have heard, we have been able to get the Tompkins County Legislature to take a hard look at the multitude of contracts it has with outside contractors, some of which do not pay a Living Wage. Thanks to Stanley McPherson and Milton Webb, two sorters with ReCommunity Recycling (which contracts with the County's Solid Waste Division), the issue has come front and center with the County Legislature. To wit, the County now has a Livable Wage Working Group.
The Invitation for Public Comment from the County is below:
* The public input sessions are intended to increase the Work Group's understanding of the County's 2003 Livable Wage Policy;
* Suggested modifications of the policy or the way it is implemented;
* Specific opportunities and concerns associated with a more rigorous enforcement of the Policy.
The core element of the 2003 County Livable Wage Policy calls for the County 'to consider wage levels and benefits, particularly health care, provided by contractors
when awarding bids or negotiating contracts, and to encourage the payment of Livable Wages whenever practical and reasonable." The Policy has been based on a good faith, best-effort approach.
In April, the County established an internal Livable Wage Work
Group to review whether the goals of the 2003 Policy are being achieved
and if any modifications in either the Policy or its execution should
be considered. The Work Group includes Legislators Kathy Luz Herrera,
Peter Stein, and Jim Dennis will report its findings and recommendations
to the full Legislature in early- to mid-summer.
The Work Group is focused on County service contracts, in other
words, contracts between the County and a firm, organization, or
individual for the provision of services to the County, or on behalf of
the County. (Other types of contracts are governed by State procurement
law, and all County employees, themselves, are paid at least the Living
Wage.
As a central element of its policy review, the Work Group is
seeking input from the public, which is what Wednesday's two Public
Input sessions are about. (The Workers' Center encourages anyone and
everyone concerned about this issue to attend one of these two
meetings!) The Work Group is also seeking specific suggestions regarding
changes to the Policy or the way it is administered, and specific
opportunities and concerns that should be considered as a part of the
review of potential changes in the Policy or the way it is enforced.
Speakers will be asked to keep their comments to five (5)
minutes. Written testimony will also be welcomed by the Work Group.
If you take care of this moment, you will take care of all time.
