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Memphis Area Women’s Council

Memphis Area Women’s Council. Task Force on Economic Self Sufficiency A Living Wage. Living Wage is a Women’s Issue. » Bulk of low-wage workers in US are female » Women comprise less than half U.S. workforce but 61% of workers earning minimum wage

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Memphis Area Women’s Council

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  1. Memphis Area Women’s Council Task Force on Economic Self Sufficiency A Living Wage

  2. Living Wage is a Women’s Issue » Bulk of low-wage workers in US are female » Women comprise less than half U.S. workforce but 61% of workers earning minimum wage » Two thirds of minimum wage earners are adults 20 years of age or older » Work requirements of welfare reform apply overwhelmingly to adult women

  3. Living Wage is a Memphis Women’s Issue • 49 % of women in Memphis who work full-time earn less than $25,000 per year • Women in Memphis who work full-time earn 69% of what men earn • Women make up 51% of the Memphis workforce, but only 21% of those earning more than $75,000 per year

  4. What is a Living Wage? » Means self-sufficiency » Amount family needs for basic necessities » Takes $13.06/hour in Memphis for one adult and one child » Memphis economy dominated by service jobs at $7 – $10/hour

  5. » Adequate child care » Basic rental housing and utilities » Adequate food prepared at home » Five-year old car » Subsidized health insurance » Basic clothing and personal care products » Payment of local, state and federal taxes What does that get you?

  6. Long distance phone calls Cable TV Restaurant meals Insurance for eye & dental care Home equity Vacations Savings What’s missing?

  7. Proposed Memphis Living Wage Ordinance • $10/hr with health insurance • $12/hr without health insurance • Workers covered are those under contract with city, working for companies that get tax abatements, and city employees

  8. Working for local ordinance • Mid-South Interfaith Network for Economic Justice, many churches and faith based organizations • Labor union representatives • 9 of 13 City Council candidates • Church Women United • Commercial Appeal Editorial in favor of ordinance • Memphis Area Women’s Council

  9. Opposed to local ordinance • Chamber of Commerce • Tennessee Municipal League • Brent Taylor and Scott McCormick • Hotel and Restaurant Association

  10. Living Wage: Call to Action • Attend rally May 8, 12 noon, City Hall Plaza, Main Street • Wear and pass out Mothers’ Day stickers • Attend key meetings of City Council • Wear MAWC Living Wage buttons

  11. Living Wage: Call to Action • Identify women-owned (& other) businesses in support of Living Wage • Respond to Action Alerts • Calls and letters to City Council Members (go to www.memphiswomen.org)

  12. Living Wage: Call to Action • Invite presentations to women’s groups, Sunday School, etc. • Sign post cards today!

  13. Living Wage: Questions & discussion

  14. Community Calendar Action Network Local & National Resources Studies & Data Register to Vote English & Spanish On-line Discussion Forums www.memphiswomen.orgA new resource for the community

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