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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWalMart fighting $11.75 min wage bill
Last edited Tue Mar 19, 2013, 08:10 PM - Edit history (2)
In screwed news (Thom Hartman)... Wallmart wants to keep Washington, D.C. employees in poverty. The low-wage retailer is scheduled to open six stores in the D.C. region, while at the same time actively fighting a proposed bill that would ensure workers at large retailers earn a living wage.
Currently, the minimum wage in our nation's capital is $8.25 an hour, but this new legislation would require national retailers who make over $1 billion a year to pay an hourly wage of $11.75, and offer benefits to their employees. D.C. Council Chair Phill Mendelson introduced the proposal, saying, "by adopting a living wage standard for large retailers, the District can ensure economic development better meets the community's need for family-supporting jobs."
A substantial wage increase like this one could reduce the need for government wage subsidies, such as food stamps and Medicaid. It's clear that Wallmart would rather have taxpayers pick up the tab for services that it's low-wage workers can't afford, but it's time to stop their corporate welfare. If Wallmart wants to do business in D.C., they may finally have to pay for the privilege to do so.
http://truth-out.org/video/item/15192-on-the-news-with-thom-hartmann-maryland-to-become-18th-state-to-ban-death-penalty-and-more
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Large retailer living-wage bill is moving forward
Posted by Mike DeBonis on March 13, 2013 at 1:02 pm Wash. Post
A D.C. Council bill that would require the citys largest retailers including Wal-Mart, Costco, Home Depot and others to pay higher wages is showing signs of life.
The Large Retailer Accountability Act, introduced by Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) in January, will get a hearing next Wednesday before the councils Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs committee.
The bill would require large retailers defined as businesses operating an indoor store of at least 75,000 square feet and whose corporate parent has sales of at least $1 billion to pay wages no lower than $11.75 per hour plus, benefits. That living wage would be indexed to the local consumer price index every year.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/mike-debonis/wp/2013/03/13/large-retailer-living-wage-bill-is-moving-forward/
blm
(113,071 posts)Best bargain store employer in the country.
SunSeeker
(51,574 posts)If people knew Walmart was taking care of its workers (and if its workers could afford to shop there), Walmart would get way more business, which would more than make up for the pittance of a wage increase it is fighting.
progressoid
(49,992 posts)UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)Initech
(100,085 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)FairWinds
(1,717 posts)going on in Eureka, California. It is also partially aimed at Wal Mart.
We need more of that - work for living wages in your community.
Tab
(11,093 posts)Jes' sayin'
Blue Owl
(50,445 posts)n/t
heik418
(1 post)WalMart has already seen a way to circumvent all this by their use of "independent contractors" working for vendor companies. Average pay there is $8.00 an hour or a set fee per task and NO benefits of course because you are not an employee of anyone and are "self" employed as far as the IRS is concerned.
great info
snagglepuss
(12,704 posts)Information like this is critical to get out there. Thanks for posting. Welcome to DU.
talkingmime
(2,173 posts)olddots
(10,237 posts)Wal -Mart set the model that others followed .Proof again that organized crime though uneducated and amoral can make a fortune it always has and always will until we teach people real math about economics instead of teaching people how to cheat.