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City Committee Passes Living Wage Ordinance

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Jun 21, 2006 4:51 pm US/Central

City Committee Passes Living Wage Ordinance

Aldermen Want Big-Box Retailers To Pay Living Wage

CHICAGO (AP) ― A Chicago City Council committee has approved a plan to require big-box retailers -- like Wal-Mart -- to pay a "living wage."

The finance committee voted 15-to-6 today in favor of the ordinance after a two hours of debate. It now goes before the full council.

Under the plan, operators of large stores would be required to pay their employees a minimum of about $10 per hour.

Those wages would apply to people who work at least ten hours a week, and they'd have to work for the retailer for at least 90 days for the increased wages to kick in.

Opponents argue the ordinance would keep retailers out of the city and cost Chicago jobs, especially in low-income areas. Alderman Burton Natarus calls the proposal "destructive."

But supporters say studies show that such ordinances usually help, not hurt, communities that pass them.

(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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