Welcome to the online home of the Economic Justice Coalition, an energetic, diverse and sustainable organization working towards healthier families and communities.

We believe in a future where workers are organized with political and economic power, receive a fair wage for a day's work, and have access to affordable health care and other necessities.

Our projects are as diverse as our membership. From empowering and educating low wage and no wage workers, to organizing for worker protections, and helping immigrant workers learn English and avoid mistreatment, the Economic Justice Coalition is making a difference in peoples' lives every day.

Our mission and how you can help

There are many ways to help EJC accomplish its mission.

Some of you already volunteer multiple hours in service to the community by helping us register people to vote, pushing for fair wages, attending multiple functions and meetings, distributing food at our food bank and so forth. For these things, we thank you.

If you would like to further help us in our endeavors, we invite you to donate using the donate button. We thank you in advance for your contribution to a living wage for workers and a better quality of life for our communities.

News Release EJC is soliciting and inviting people from the community that support a living wage and good paying jobs with health benefits to stand with OCCUPY Saturday, December 3rd from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at the UGA arches. We are encouraging supporters of the UGA Living Wage Group and other occupations that need and want a living wage at their job and\or those that support good jobs being created. The idea is one of wealth equity. This time will signify that EJC and others are in support of the 99 percenters who need a job and a good job.

What is a living wage?

The living wage is a wage by which, working 40 hours per week, workers can pay their minimum bills. As of 2011, The local level established by the Economic Justice Coalition is $10.50 per hour plus benefits or $12.00 for workers not receiving health benefits.  For more information on wage calculation and expenses, please visit the Living Wage Calculator, hosted by Pennsylvania State University.

Why is a living wage important?

As American wages tumble and jobs are shipped overseas, campaigns like ours seek to reestablish the dignity of the American worker. Anyone working full-time should not have to rely on government assistance to supplement their wages. Welfare programs only serve to patch the gaping holes in an economy that does not value the worker.

Living wages can also be seen to:

• Reduce dependence on government benefits
• Reduce crime rates
• Reduce rates of illness and absenteeism
• Strengthen family cohesion and marriage
• Reduce homelessness
• Create a healthier community

A growing movement.

Many American communities are seeing the benefits of a living wage in improving quality of life and decreasing dependence on welfare programs. Among the places adopting living wage legislation are:

• San Francisco, CA
• Santa Fe, NM,
• Albuquerque, NM
• Washington, DC

As of 2007, there were more than 140 living wage ordinances in US cities, and over 100 more campaigns fighting for a living wage in other communities.