Chicago's living wage
To me, this is very big news. The NYT is reporting: Chicago may become the first city in the nation to require "big box" retailers like Wal-Mart or Home Depot to pay employees a "living wage" of at least $10 an hour plus $3 an hour in benefits.
So far, 33 of 50 City Council members have signed on to the proposed ordinance — more than enough to pass it, perhaps as soon as next month.
Although there are problems with this measure—state legislators say it discriminates against small businesses—I think it is a very positive step forward. In a country where the minimum wage has not be raised in a decade, I will champion any measure that supports a living wage.
And let's face it, folks. Minimum wage is poverty.
The link: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/us/28wage.html?ex=1149480000&en=92b228a010122af3&ei=5065&partner=MYWAY
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