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Personnel & Finance Committee <br /> May 7, 1990 <br /> Page 2 <br /> Commissioners but have not, to date, talked substantively <br /> about the issue. The Committee was also advised that the <br /> Chamber of Commerce has not taken an official position on <br /> this matter. <br /> Mary Craypo then gave statistical information through <br /> information received through the Hansel Neighborhood Center <br /> and the Family and Children's Center, She noted that <br /> oftentimes a crisis (health-related or otherwise) <br /> drastically affects a family's financial ability to maintain <br /> consistent payments. She noted that oftentimes persons lose <br /> their dignity. She speculated that if employers have pride <br /> in their workers, that they should be willing to pay a <br /> minimum wage of $5.00 per hour. Examples of individuals <br /> working part-time at current minimum wage levels were then <br /> provided to the Committee. <br /> Council Member Voorde noted that he would prefer not to give <br /> a public statement prior to the primary election, however <br /> stated that he would "help in the effort" even though he <br /> believed it would be of much greater value at a county-wide <br /> level. <br /> Council Member Duda then gave an example of a couple working <br /> on a part-time basis at minimum wage levels who receive no <br /> benefits such as medical insurance and were having great <br /> difficulty meeting their obligations. <br /> Council Member Puzzello then called upon Naiomi Newsom to <br /> give an update with regard to where organized labor stands <br /> on this issue. Mrs. Newsom noted that there are several <br /> union jobs below $5.00 per hour. It was also noted that <br /> several unions have taken an official stand in favor of the <br /> proposed $5.00 per hour. Some of which include the AFL-CIO, <br /> Local 5, NEA, Teamsters, Building Trades, YWCA Board, <br /> Catholic Social Services, Little Flower Parish, and Labor <br /> Studies Division of Notre Dame. <br /> Dr. Teresa Ghilarducci, an assistant professor in the <br /> Department of Economics at the University of Notre Dame, <br /> then provided a summary of how South Bend compares to the <br /> national average in several areas. She noted that basically <br /> earnings in this area are approximately ninety-two percent <br /> (92%) of the national average. She also noted that cost of <br /> living locally is ninety-five percent (95%) of the national <br /> average. <br /> Council Member Puzzello noted that often the area affected <br /> by a rate lower that $5.00 per hour are retail jobs. In <br />