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.