|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Rosemary Jenkins
"My fear, in the meantime, is that by
July 2020, $15 will be worth much
less - leaving workers to be challenged
by the same deflated buying power
they are facing now."
|
|
“Justice
matters!” This exclamation is an echo of, precursor to, or parallel
with today’s many unfulfilled demands/appeals/petitions. These, in
turn, mirror the needs and expectations of the countless millions among
us who are far too invisible to far too many. Black lives do matter as
do Brown and Gay. As do those of immigrants, the impoverished, and
rank-and-file workers. As do all those who cannot earn a living wage
despite working one full-time job, let alone two!
The reality is that presently we are faced with a multitude of pressing
issues. No sooner than we concentrate on one than another pops up—not
to replace but to add to. Soon there are dozens, all of which demand
our immediate attention—all of them with a layer of urgency attached to
them.
But for our purposes here, let us concentrate on one that is prominent
and persistent–one that simply cannot be ignored by those we elect to
represent us and our most paramount interests. Just last week, the Los
Angeles City Council made the long-awaited and courageous decision to
raise wages for nearly all employees within City boundaries
(incidentally, but not coincidentally, the County is currently
considering required wage hikes within our unincorporated areas and
most likely will come to a determination that will closely align with
LA City’s rulings).
After a 14-1 vote, City Council sent the wage resolution to the office
of the City Attorney, Mike Feuer, for the final draft wording which
will then be put before the full Council in June for the final vote.
Important to note, Mitch Englander, District 12, was the sole
Councilmember voting to defeat this very popular and widely supported
motion—clearly siding with business interests over the welfare of the
people who make their businesses profitable in the first place. His
recent newsletter to his constituents falls far short in explaining his
reasoning.
Many of us (including the 15 women who fasted for 15 days for $15 an
hour) have been demanding that the higher wage be phased in more
quickly and thus are disappointed with the timeline that is now being
developed.
Yet, there is a very positive and promising side to the ultimate compromise that was made:
Beginning in July of 2016, minimum wage will rise to $10.50 ($1.50 more
than the State requirement as of 2014), followed each year with a
varied increase (averaging one dollar) until $15 is achieved by July of
2020. What is particularly impactful is that wages will then be
increased, beginning in 2022, according to the COLA and, thus, workers
will never again have to fall behind because of inflation. My fear, in
the meantime, is that by July 2020, $15 will be worth much less—leaving
workers to be challenged by the same deflated buying power they are
facing now.
Furthermore, the new law will punish wage theft which is so rampant
among businesses (large and small) that use lower-paid employees. Wage
theft and other discriminatory decisions (including retaliation) are
crimes that must be confronted head on and dealt with in so meaningful
a way that such business practices will not only be discouraged but
prevented altogether now and into the future. It is anticipated that
this new law will include such provisions.
It should also be noted that small businesses with 25 or fewer
employees will be given an additional year at both ends to produce the
required increased wages. Although many such businesses have already
voluntarily begun paying their employees at more equitable rates, most
such enterprises are also concerned that without a tax break to help
offset the increases, their companies will no longer be viable.
To counter that claim, these smaller concerns in most cases do not
currently pay enough in taxes, in the first place, to make giving them
a further tax break a logical or pragmatic way to offset their
additional costs for higher salaries (the extra year should be more
than enough for them to make necessary and logical modifications in
their management style).
Some individuals have suggested that, in lieu of a tax break for the
smaller businesses, the City could offer free workshops to teach
proprietors how to run their establishments with such efficiencies that
they can achieve both higher wages for their workers and ongoing
viability for themselves.
In my opinion, no one should even consider being in business if the
employees cannot be treated in a way they need and deserve. When
employees thrive, so does the economy, crime goes down, and acceptance
rises, discrimination decreases. When people are treated fairly—with
dignity and respect, invited to be genuine and contributing
stakeholders in their communities—it will become evident that all
people do matter and, at that point, justice will prevail for far more
than what we see today—regardless of appearance, background, thoughts,
practices, beliefs, and morés!
Keep in mind that just because we did not at this time get from City
Council everything for which we asked, the final draft will include a
number of momentous stipulations, one of which will be a rule regarding
enforcement provisions (with meaningful penalties for violations).
Unfortunately, paid earned sick leave, for which advocates have
relentlessly been pushing, was separated from the main motion (though
it is believed to be a point which will be reconsidered
sooner-than-later).
This latter provision is especially necessary so that workers are able
to stay home for their children or themselves when there is illness. It
would be nothing short of counter-productive to expect to keep sickness
at bay in the greater community when ill employees and their family
members are up and about spreading disease (think of the recent measles
outbreak that circulated so quickly). Thus, it is critical that the
earned paid sick leave requirement be enacted without delay.
Let us also remember that parallel protests are being made among our
brothers and sisters in the drayage profession. For many, if not most,
they are driving “sweatshops on wheels” and yet there is still not
enough public awareness to produce greater outcries about the continued
abuses these drivers endure every day. We can appreciate the recent
progress being made to help alleviate these concerns but cannot be
complacent. There is still much more ahead of us to attain.
We can no more tolerate their poor salaries and unconscionable
conditions than we can for any other worker in Los Angeles (let alone
anywhere). And that is why we often find ourselves marching together,
supporting each other’s causes (which in many ways are the same) and
are gradually achieving varying degrees of success—the train (or the
track or the march) is moving inexorably forward.
It was stated at the recent Giants of Justice - CLUE event, “Working
people deserve more than modest aspirations.” And thus “we cannot run
away from adversity but must run toward it to overcome it.”
In doing so, we shall discover a remarkable truth–that “the opposite of
poverty is not wealth but justice!” And so we come full circle. Justice
matters—with liberty and justice for all!
|
BC Guest Commentator Rosemary Jenkins
is a graduate of UC, Santa Barbara, with degrees in both English and
history and a minor in the humanities. She earned her teaching
credential there and taught for more than 37 years in the Los Angeles
Unified School District where she served as a master and mentor teacher
and coordinated many programs. She is an author of literary and grammar
handbooks and a book of poetry in both English and Spanish and
currently is working on an historical fiction novel dealing with the
Black experience in America. Rosemary is a community and political
activist and specializes in environmental and educational issues. She
is an advocate for other current policy matters as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 is published every Thursday |
Executive Editor:
David A. Love, JD |
Managing Editor:
Nancy Littlefield, MBA |
Publisher:
Peter Gamble |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
