Pay Up! Long Hours and Low Pay Leave Workers at a Loss

In recent years, a number of cities have raised their minimum wage to $15 an hour, which is significantly above federal and state minimum wages. These changes have prompted debate around the country regarding what constitutes an adequate minimum. This report contributes to that conversation by providing living wage figures, finding that current minimum wageContinue reading “Pay Up! Long Hours and Low Pay Leave Workers at a Loss”

Pay Up! $15 in Not A Living Wage in Most of the Country

Throughout the nation, the call for a $15 minimum wage is rightfully gaining momentum and – if enacted – would lift millions of low-wage workers from struggle to stability. While detractors suggest the wage is too high, a new report by the Alliance for a Just Society released today shows that $15 is really a modest demand.Continue reading “Pay Up! $15 in Not A Living Wage in Most of the Country”

Racial Segregation: Righting the Wrong and Making Restitution

At a time in history when crime continues to decline, same-sex marriage is legal, and innovation is powering advances in technology and bioengineering – one issue fails to progress: racial justice. The unemployment rate for African-Americans continues to be more than twice that of whites. Public schools are more segregated now than they were inContinue reading “Racial Segregation: Righting the Wrong and Making Restitution”

NY Fast food workers win $15 minimum wage

Fast food workers in New York are getting a raise! Hard work by our affiliates Citizen Action New York and Make the Road New York – along with dozens of other allied organizations and unions, and thousands of workers who took to the streets and shared their personal stories – has paid off  in a hugeContinue reading “NY Fast food workers win $15 minimum wage”

You Are Not a Loan – You Are Not Alone!

Debt isn’t a personal failing – it’s a national crisis. We are standing up for those burdened by debt that is threatening their future and ours: students, homeowners, the working poor, and those with serious illness and crushing medical debt. We are gathering the nation – inviting everyone to come together – and help usContinue reading “You Are Not a Loan – You Are Not Alone!”

Low-Wage Job Growth a Major Factor in Income Inequality. Patience is Not the Answer.

In response to the New York Times’ Jan. 27 Upshot piece, “Gains From Economic Recovery Still Limited to Top One Percent,” we appreciate the effort to report on the historic, staggering and blatant income inequality that has taken hold of America. This piece made some excellent points around the continuing inequality crisis. However, we have an answerContinue reading “Low-Wage Job Growth a Major Factor in Income Inequality. Patience is Not the Answer.”

Testimony: A Living Wage Is about Family Prosperity

Yesterday I got the chance to testify to the Washington state House Labor and Workforce Development Committee. Our living wage research findings set a standard, that mere survival is not an adequate measure of a healthy society, and not an expectation we should be striving to set. It’s about a living wage that positions familiesContinue reading “Testimony: A Living Wage Is about Family Prosperity”