Citizens speak out on Pittsburgh's prevailing wage legislation
Faith Jetter admittedly doesn't know much about the proposal before City Council that would require tenants in publicly subsidized buildings to pay market-rate wages to employees, but she knows what it's like to earn less.
"I know what it's like having to decide whether to pay rent or feed my kids, or keeping the gas on or buying my children shoes," Jetter, 46, of Lawrenceville said.
Jetter, a housekeeper at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, was one of about 60 people who attended a meeting this morning with City Council.
Legislation before City Council would require that janitors, kitchen workers and grocery store employees who work in publicly funded buildings be paid a prevailing wage — the median of what other workers in their industry are being paid locally.
The proposal would affect projects that get $100,000 or more in city subsidies and are larger than 100,000 square feet, except for grocery stores, which would have a lower threshold, of 30,000 square feet.
Council has scheduled a public hearing at 2:30 p.m. on the bill proposed by Councilman Doug Shields.
Opponents have said that requiring a prevailing wage would hinder development. Local developers have said it would make it difficult to attract retailers.
Mark Minnerly, director of real estate at Mosites Corporation, said prevailing wages aren't the issue.
"It's the change in corporate policy on how to run one store out of 500," he said.
"I know what it's like having to decide whether to pay rent or feed my kids, or keeping the gas on or buying my children shoes," Jetter, 46, of Lawrenceville said.
Jetter, a housekeeper at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, was one of about 60 people who attended a meeting this morning with City Council.
Legislation before City Council would require that janitors, kitchen workers and grocery store employees who work in publicly funded buildings be paid a prevailing wage — the median of what other workers in their industry are being paid locally.
The proposal would affect projects that get $100,000 or more in city subsidies and are larger than 100,000 square feet, except for grocery stores, which would have a lower threshold, of 30,000 square feet.
Council has scheduled a public hearing at 2:30 p.m. on the bill proposed by Councilman Doug Shields.
Opponents have said that requiring a prevailing wage would hinder development. Local developers have said it would make it difficult to attract retailers.
Mark Minnerly, director of real estate at Mosites Corporation, said prevailing wages aren't the issue.
"It's the change in corporate policy on how to run one store out of 500," he said.