Seacoast Living Wage Campaign holds third forum

By JOEL F. HARRIS

Democrat Staff Writer

PORTSMOUTH — Action was the order of business recently as the Seacoast Living Wage Campaign held its third in a series of forums to address low wages and affordable living in the Port City area.

After two informational discussions at the previous forums, members of the campaign vowed to step up their efforts of informing local residents about the campaign, said Jennifer Hicks one of the campaign’s volunteers.

"We are moving towards our goal of getting out there and getting the people behind us," Hicks said. "We need to bring this campaign to a critical mass."

Campaign members are planning on rallying local support before beginning discussion with local officials about establishing a living wage ordinance. This would require businesses to pay workers competitive wages.

"We are telling business ‘you can not make a profit off the backs of poor people’," Hick said.

In an effort to create more awareness and rally support, the group is planning to begin tabling at local festivals including the Annual Jazz Festival and Market Square Day. They will also be starting an aggressive media and community awareness campaign by distributing press releases and flyers. The group will be asking local residents to sign a petition supporting their goal of a living wage ordinance.

There are 75 cities and towns across the country that have established living wage ordinances, Hicks said. They include such cities as New Orleans Los Angeles, and Baltimore.

According to the campaign Seacoast residents need to earn an hourly wage of $13.28 in order to meet basic needs. The federal minimum wage is $5.15 well below what the campaign feels is adequate in the Seacoast.

Campaign members are hoping to establish an ordinance locally and eventual expanded it to a statewide requirement, Hick said.

Along with the continuing monthly forums the campaign is planning a large rally to be held on Labor Day and a special event on September 21. The rally, which could be held in Market Square, will continue the groups effort to raise awareness. The special event will include several local and national speakers and a display of art and music honoring the spirit of the work, Hick said.

Hicks said the campaign supports local business and wants to establish an ordinance that is business friendly. Businesses can benefit from a living wage ordinance by improving employee retention, loyalty, productivity and overall satisfaction.

"We understand how important local business are to the Seacoast and we don’t want to negatively effect them, Hicks said. "We are only asking business to pay workers a living wage."

The Seacoast Living Wage Campaign is a coalition of religious organizations, unions, community groups and concerned residents. The group has more than 50 members and is growing with every forum.

The next forum will be held on May 19 at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church on State Street and organizers are hoping to have Jen Kern, of the Association of Communities Organized For Reform Now, speak at the event. Hicks said she hope the national recognized speaker will draw a large audience.

All are welcomed to attend this event, especially workers who earn less than $10 an hour. For more information about The Seacoast Living Wage Campaign contact Hicks at 431-5853.