“We’re all in the same boat”: Anger over Large Retail Accountability Act rejection fuels strike and worker momentum for living wage by Private Employers and Federal Contractors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Supported by the Large Retail Accountability Living Wage Coalition, scores of low-wage workers employed under federal concession agreements went on their largest strike yet on Wednesday, September 25. Workers are demanding elected officials to support a living wage and a voice on the job. The coalition and striking workers marched to the White House to call on President Obama to use his executive authority and guarantee a living wage to federally contracted workers. Presidential leadership will set the tone for minimum wage legislation currently before the D.C. Council.
The workers, community members, and clergy, who are part of the Good Jobs Nation campaign, will carry 10 foot pens and stage an executive order signing ceremony at 14th and New York Ave. NW, symbolizing that federally contracted workers and private sector workers need Presidential leadership in the fight for a living wage. The workers will deliver more than 250,000 signatures to the White House.
Thousands of D.C. area workers including cafeteria workers and janitors in federal buildings, food-service workers, and workers sewing military uniforms are affected by federally supported low wages.
The government has joined Wal-Mart and McDonald’s in the race to the bottom. It is now the largest low-wage employer in the country through contracts, loans and leases. More than 100,000 workers in this forgotten workforce of 2 million work in the D.C. area.
The strike coincides with the release of a new report from Demos showing how the federal government could raise the pay of hundreds of thousands of these low-wage workers by capping taxpayer-subsidized contractor executive pay – a great step toward these workers achieving a living wage without additional cost to taxpayers. The Demos report shows capping contractor executive reimbursements would raise wages by more than $6 an hour.
Itinerary – Wednesday, Sept 25
WHAT: March from Freedom Plaza to the White House
WHO: Federally Contracted Low-Wage Workers, Members of Congress, LRAA Coalition, Community Groups, Clergy
WHEN: 11:00 am
WHERE: Freedom Plaza 14th and Pennsylvania Ave., NW
WHAT: Prayer Vigil and Rally for a Good Jobs Nation
WHO: Federally Contracted Low-Wage Workers, Members of Congress, Community Groups, Clergy
WHEN: 11:30 am
WHERE: Lafayette Park, Pennsylvania Ave. between Jefferson Pl and Madison Pl, NW
WHAT: Delivery of Letters and Petitions to the President
WHO: Federally Contracted Low-Wage Workers, Members of Congress, LRAA Coalition, Community Groups, Clergy
WHEN: 12:00 pm
WHERE: The White House Gate facing Lafayette Park, Washington, DC
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