Prevailing Wage Passes
“First they ignore you,
then they laugh at you,
then they fight you,
then you win.”
~Mahatma Gandhi
DOWNTOWN--On Tuesday, City Council approved for the second time the Prevailing Wage Bill.
The bill, which was approved unanimously, will require city-subsidized projects to pay prevailing wage, that being wage equal to what is being paid by non-subsidized businesses.
No viable counter has been offered by business explaining why city-subsidized projects should be permitted to pay less than their contributors. Instead, business leaders have pointed to a fear of developer deterence in the bill, which is an argument that falls on deaf ears in council, in the public sphere, and under analysis.
"The bottom line is public subsidies should not subisidize poverty," said Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak of the bill and its purpose.
The bill is the second of its kind, after the last minute veto by the mayor. After failing to overturn the veto, then council-president Shields said that he would reintroduce the bill in the new year. He wasted no time, and as of the 2nd of February (and amidst the unforgivable Groundhog Day references) Pittsburgh has passed the bill.
On Monday, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he wouldn't likely veto the legislation if it won unanimous council approval.-source
Ravenstahl said of the last bill that he would not veto Prevailing Wage if it was approved by city council. He betrayed that statement on the 31st. We can only wait to see if, within the 10 day time period permitted by council for a veto to be issued, if Mayor Ravenstahl will sign, veto or ignore the bill. Ignoring it will allow it to become law without his approval.
On hand were UFCW, SEIU, PIIN to name a few in what was a crowd of nearly 100 at City Council chambers. Among the speakers was Rev. David Thornton of Grace Memorial Presbyterian in the Hill District. The PIIN-associated reverend stated again a relevant motto he expressed at an earlier event:
"Persistence pays."
then they laugh at you,
then they fight you,
then you win.”
~Mahatma Gandhi
DOWNTOWN--On Tuesday, City Council approved for the second time the Prevailing Wage Bill.
The bill, which was approved unanimously, will require city-subsidized projects to pay prevailing wage, that being wage equal to what is being paid by non-subsidized businesses.
No viable counter has been offered by business explaining why city-subsidized projects should be permitted to pay less than their contributors. Instead, business leaders have pointed to a fear of developer deterence in the bill, which is an argument that falls on deaf ears in council, in the public sphere, and under analysis.
"The bottom line is public subsidies should not subisidize poverty," said Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak of the bill and its purpose.
The bill is the second of its kind, after the last minute veto by the mayor. After failing to overturn the veto, then council-president Shields said that he would reintroduce the bill in the new year. He wasted no time, and as of the 2nd of February (and amidst the unforgivable Groundhog Day references) Pittsburgh has passed the bill.
On Monday, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he wouldn't likely veto the legislation if it won unanimous council approval.-source
Ravenstahl said of the last bill that he would not veto Prevailing Wage if it was approved by city council. He betrayed that statement on the 31st. We can only wait to see if, within the 10 day time period permitted by council for a veto to be issued, if Mayor Ravenstahl will sign, veto or ignore the bill. Ignoring it will allow it to become law without his approval.
On hand were UFCW, SEIU, PIIN to name a few in what was a crowd of nearly 100 at City Council chambers. Among the speakers was Rev. David Thornton of Grace Memorial Presbyterian in the Hill District. The PIIN-associated reverend stated again a relevant motto he expressed at an earlier event:
"Persistence pays."