Rep. Barca announces living wage bill for state contract employees
People who work for Wisconsin deserve fair wage to help provide for their families
MADISON – Today Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) announced a new bill that would set a living wage for the hundreds of individuals working under state contracts in Wisconsin. Under this bill, contracted employees would receive a living wage that is at least the federal poverty level of a three-person household or the same amount as a state employee performing the same duties.
“Workers who work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year shouldn’t have to rely on government assistance to help meet their families’ most basic needs. And taxpayers should not be expected to subsidize private companies’ full-time workers,” Rep. Barca said. “We must take action to ensure that the hardworking men and women of our state can earn a living wage and provide for themselves and their families. Whether someone is a state employee or a contracted employee, the people who work for Wisconsin deserve fair compensation for their work.”
This proposal is based on a statewide living wage program that was passed in Maryland in 2007. More than 100 municipalities and counties – both in Wisconsin and across the country – also currently have living wage requirements for contracted employees. In his State of the Union Address last night, President Obama announced that he will issue an executive order setting a living wage for all federally contracted employees.
The analysis and bill draft of LRB 3641 are attached here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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