4720037 Resolution 20-397, “Sense of the Council in Support of the Living Wage Emergency Resolution of 2014”

A RESOLUTION

20-397

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

January 7, 2014

To declare, on an emergency basis, the sense of the Council in support of requesting that the executive branch update the living wage under the Living Wage Act of 2006 to $13.70 per hour by March 1, 2014. 

            RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Sense of the Council in Support of the Living Wage Emergency Resolution of 2014”.

            Sec. 2. The Council finds that:

            (1) The executive branch is required by March 1st of every year to recalculate, according to the consumer price index, the pay of employees of companies that are recipients of government contracts or government assistance in the amount of $100,000 or more.

                (2) The executive branch, for the past 3 years, has failed to amend the living wage according to the consumer price index.

                (3) The executive branch's failure to make increases to the living wage according to the consumer price index since 2010 has cost an employee over $3,500 in lost wages.

                (4) Just recently, the executive branch announced it was increasing the living wage from $12.50 an hour to $13.40 an hour.

                (5) However, another recalculation of the living wage must be made again on March 1, 2014.

                (6) Due to the failure of the executive branch to make the proper living wage adjustments without pressure from the Council, this emergency would put the administration on notice to properly recalculate the living wage by March 1, 2014.

                (7) It is the policy of the District to promote living wage jobs to help working families make ends meet and protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community.

 

Sec. 3. It is the sense of the Council that an increase to the living wage will be beneficial to the citizens of the District, create more jobs, and stimulate the economy.

 

Sec. 4. The Secretary to the Council shall transmit a copy of this resolution, upon its adoption, to the Director or interim Director of the Department of Employment Services.

 

Sec. 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately.