New Law Will Give Some Workers In Philadelphia A Raise
by Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney on Thursday signed into law a bill expanding who is required to pay their workers the prevailing wage.
The list now includes hospitals, universities, and other institutions that receive a city subsidy.
"It is my pleasure," said Mayor Kenney as cheers went up from the security guards and other service workers who gathered in the mayor's reception room to watch him sign the new law.
Sponsor Helen Gym says the bill will assure that non-profits-- which receive tax subsidies-- don't use their status to undercut prevailing wages.
"We can't allow public resources to subsidize poverty wages," she said.
She says income growth must occur at the lowest levels-- not just the highest-- for the city to grow.
But for Vanessa Highsmith, a security officer at Temple, the law has a personal meaning.
"Many nights I wonder how bills will get paid, but now I have the assurance that things will get better," said Highsmith.
The law means workers such as Highsmith will get paid about $15 an hour, twice the minimum wage.