WHITE PLAINS, June 17 — More than 200 union members, health care workers and community leaders packed a hearing room here today to debate Westchester County's proposed version of the so-called living-wage laws that several cities around the country have adopted. þþThe Westchester bill would require companies to pay one of the highest minimum wages in the country — $11.50 an hour with health benefits, or $13 an hour without — to workers engaged in projects that receive any county money.þþThis evening, at the first public hearing on the bill before the County Board of Legislators, the crowd consisted mostly of workers and their advocates, who said the measure would provide the poor with the crucial income needed to meet the high cost of living in Westchester.þþÿThe people turned out today because they have a lot vested in this,ÿ said Kenneth Jenkins, a member of the Yonkers N.A.A.C.P. ÿWithout this money there is no way many of the lowest-paid people can continue to afford to live in Westchester.ÿþþBusiness leaders said the legislation would force companies to slash low-paying jobs and would ultimately hurt the workers it was designed to help.þþÿThe higher wage will actually push out the poorer, unskilled workers as more skilled workers take their place,ÿ said the County Chamber of Commerce president, Marsha Gordon. ÿIt will also make it more expensive to do business in Westchester, which is something we can't afford to do.ÿþþAndrea Stewart-Cousins, the chairwoman of the Legislation Committee, said the high wage was necessary and was derived from studies that considered Westchester's affluence.þþMore than 80 communities nationwide have enacted living-wage laws to bolster the income of low-paid workers employed by government contractors. Last July, Suffolk County implemented a wage of $9 an hour, and New York City is considering a wage of $8.10. Aside from several California communities (Santa Monica passed a $10.50 wage this year), Westchester would have a significantly higher wage than any localities that have enacted similar legislation.þþA coalition of labor unions and religious and community organizations said the the high wage was crucial to people needing immediate help to survive in the county.þþÿFor workers who are making $6 to $7 an hour and work more than full time it just doesn't make sense to make them wait,ÿ said Eva Bonime, a spokeswoman for the Working Families Party. ÿThis wage will allow them to catch up with rising costs.ÿþþCounty Executive Andrew J. Spano has not taken a position on the legislation, though he has expressed concern that the bill will would worsen next year's anticipated budget deficit of $70 million. ÿPhilosophically he's behind it,ÿ said Donna Greene, a spokeswoman for Mr. Spano. ÿBut there are nonprofit consequences and a severe deficit to consider.ÿþþLawmakers will return the bill to committee to discuss public reaction and draft a final proposal, Mrs. Stewart-Cousins said.þ
Source: NY Times
