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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFederal Contract Workers Tell Obama: $10.10 Isn't Enough
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-11/federal-contract-workers-tell-obama-10-dot-10-isnt-enough
By Josh Eidelson June 11, 2014
In January, federal contract workers and congressional Democrats hailed President Obamas decision, following seven strikes at federal buildings, to impose a $10.10 minimum wage floor for many workers under future government contracts. On Thursday, some of those workers will tell the president it isnt good enough.
I need to pay the rent, to help my son, to go to school, says Marie Ferrier, a McDonalds (MCD) employee at the Pentagon and an activist with Good Jobs Nation, the federal contract workers campaign backed by the labor federation Change to Win and its largest union, the Service Employees International Union. When I go to the doctor, I pay for that, she says. At work, they dont give you 40 hours. Thats why its not enough. A White House spokesperson declined to comment.
Ferrier is one of several hundred nonunion workers employed by private companies under federal contracts who signed a letter to Obama to be released Thursday. Calling strikes and protests the only way we can make our voices heard while government agencies that depend on our labor stand by when the private businesses they contract with exploit and mistreat us, the letter urges Obama to direct the federal agencies that contract with our employersthe Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, the Smithsonian Institution, and the General Services Administrationto require their contractors to bargain with us over fair wages and working conditions in return for our commitment not to strike.
STORY: Mapping the Places Where Higher Minimum Wages Bite Hardest: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-06/mapping-the-places-where-higher-minimum-wages-bite-hardest
FULL story at link.
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Federal Contract Workers Tell Obama: $10.10 Isn't Enough (Original Post)
Omaha Steve
Jun 2014
OP
Rod Beauvex
(564 posts)1. Good.
I'm glad they're standing up and demanding more.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)2. K&R....
Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)3. Wait...
So, it's not that $10.10 isn't enough, its the employers aren't giving the hours.
Remind me again how this is Obama's fault?
madville
(7,413 posts)4. If they give full-time hours
They have to provide health insurance, not a hard decision for business owners (contractors).
Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)6. Once again, this is not on Obama...
It's on asshat business owners...
Omaha Steve
(99,834 posts)7. I don't see the blame falling on Obama at all
He took executive action while our Families Values Congress said no again to yet something that would help families. A higher minimum wage.
Dr Hobbitstein
(6,568 posts)8. OK.
Just clarifying. You are correct on the do-nothing Congress. Their family values include neither families nor values.
madville
(7,413 posts)5. $10.10 in DC?
That's ridiculous. I have passed on applying to potential promotions because they are in the DC area. I would rather make $60k in a somewhat rural area than $80-90k in DC. Maybe the last few years or something to boost up my pension.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)9. Hmmm...wonder how much those contractors in Iraq are making?
and the herds of them over in Africa......
i wonder wonder wonder....