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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-07-90 Personnel & Finance Qonunti nn &part PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE go the Comm (IIouutil of tip Q ug of ►outli limb: The May 7, 1990, meeting of the Personnel & Finance Committee was called to order at 4:05 PM in the Board of Public Works meeting room, 13th Floor, County-City Building by its Chairperson Council Member Ann Puzzello. • Persons in attendance included Council Members Duda, Puzzello, Luecke, Zakrzewski, and Voorde; Joan Hac, Dr. Teresa Ghilarducci, Mary Craypo, Naiomi Newsom, Don Porter, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Puzzello then had all of the individuals present introduced. She noted that the purpose of the meeting was to hear a proposal from representatives of the Working Women's Coalition with regard to requesting that the minimum wage in St. Joseph County be raised to $5. 00 per hour, effective January of 1991. Mary Craypo of the Working' Women's Coalition, who is currently working for the Census Bureau, then provided background information to the committee. She handed out three documents, namely, one entitled "Survey of St. Joseph County Employers", prepared by Dr. Teresa Ghilarducci of the Department of Economics of the University of Notre Dame, a document entitled "Would Raising the Minimum Wage Help Business in St. Joseph County?", and a multi-page document showing survey results conducted by IUSB students in class L230 (all of which are attached) . She also noted that members of the Working Women's Coalition had contacted the State Attorney General's Office to inquire whether a local community could set a minimum wage different than one set by the federal government. She advised the Committee that it could be done. She also noted that fourteen (14) communities have separate minimum wages higher that the federal standard, twelve (12) of which are states primarily located on the east and west coast. Joan Hac, who is the acting coordinator of the "Division of Labor Studies at IUSB" then gave background information with regard to the class survey conducted as a part of her class entitled "Labor and Economy. " She then briefly summarized the handout. Council Member Voorde noted that he was at the debate at the Colfax Center. He questioned whether the Working Women's Coalition had discussed their proposal with the County. They advised him that they had made contact with the County Personnel & Finance Committee May 7, 1990 Page 2 Commissioners but have not, to date, talked substantively about the issue. The Committee was also advised that the Chamber of Commerce has not taken an official position on this matter. Mary Craypo then gave statistical information through information received through the Hansel Neighborhood Center and the Family and Children's Center, She noted that oftentimes a crisis (health-related or otherwise) drastically affects a family's financial ability to maintain consistent payments. She noted that oftentimes persons lose their dignity. She speculated that if employers have pride in their workers, that they should be willing to pay a minimum wage of $5.00 per hour. Examples of individuals working part-time at current minimum wage levels were then provided to the Committee. Council Member Voorde noted that he would prefer not to give a public statement prior to the primary election, however stated that he would "help in the effort" even though he believed it would be of much greater value at a county-wide level. Council Member Duda then gave an example of a couple working on a part-time basis at minimum wage levels who receive no benefits such as medical insurance and were having great difficulty meeting their obligations. Council Member Puzzello then called upon Naiomi Newsom to give an update with regard to where organized labor stands on this issue. Mrs. Newsom noted that there are several union jobs below $5.00 per hour. It was also noted that several unions have taken an official stand in favor of the proposed $5.00 per hour. Some of which include the AFL-CIO, Local 5, NEA, Teamsters, Building Trades, YWCA Board, Catholic Social Services, Little Flower Parish, and Labor Studies Division of Notre Dame. Dr. Teresa Ghilarducci, an assistant professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Notre Dame, then provided a summary of how South Bend compares to the national average in several areas. She noted that basically earnings in this area are approximately ninety-two percent (92%) of the national average. She also noted that cost of living locally is ninety-five percent (95%) of the national average. Council Member Puzzello noted that often the area affected by a rate lower that $5.00 per hour are retail jobs. In Personnel & Finance Committee May 7, 1990 Page 3 light of the fact that most new retail is outside of the City of South Bend, she urged the Working Women's Coalition to contact county officials. Mary Craypo then noted that signatures in favor of the minimum wage of $5. 00 per hour have been procured. Council Member Luecke questioned whether there was model legislation in this area and that if there was, that copies should be provided to the Committee to study. Council Member Puzzello also noted that the Council may be interested in addressing this issue through a resolution. Council Member Duda suggested that a joint meeting of public officials from St. Joseph County, City of South Bend, and the City of Mishawaka should be held in the County-City Building to discuss this issue in greater detail. Dr. Ghilarducci also noted that at the recent hearings held in Washington, D.C. , that the increase in violations of the child-labor law are also very apparent. She also noted that individuals who are of high school age who work over nineteen (19) hours per week statistically are more prone to abusive behavior. Council Member Luecke suggested that any proposed resolution should be discussed by the Personnel & Finance Committee before consideration by the full Council. Council Member Zakrzewski questioned whether such a proposal would affect all employers within the City of South Bend. He was advised that if such legislation was passed, that it would. Council Member Puzzello suggested that any documents which the Working Women's Coalition received, be sent either to herself or to the Council Attorney for review and discussion. Following further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Ann Puzzello Chairperson Personnel & Finance Committee Attachments