Living Wage Ordinances: Maintaining Healthy Local Economies
Loading...
Authors
Spaid, Laura J.
Issue Date
2003
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This paper discusses the failures of the minimum and prevailing wages along with the promise of a living wage. The minimum wage began to fail in the 1980's as the real
value of minimum wage dropped to its lowest since 1968. The minimum wage lost its
purchasing power and no longer provided workers the ability to live above the poverty
level. The prevailing wage failed mainly due to its discriminatory ways. It did not favor
black or other minorities in any way, nor did it provide a high enough wage to prevent
workers from living in poverty. The living wage was first introduced in Baltimore, MD
in 1994 and since then has gained popularity across the nation. Taking a closer look at
the Baltimore, Los Angeles, and Chicago ordinances the living wage seems to have
positive effects. The costs of living wage ordinances are also presented along with how
companies may deal with the additional costs. These costs however, are outweighed by
the benefits that the cities and employees experience, this is shown through several
studies and through my collection of data of 87 cities and counties that have the living
wage.
Description
41 p.
Citation
Publisher
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.