Wage hike is 'economic, racial justice,' church leaders say
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The Rev. Larry Pickens |
Nov. 3, 2006
A UMNS Report
By Linda Bloom*
Increasing the U.S.
federal minimum wage is "a matter of economic and racial justice,"
according to a letter to Congress signed by 11 Christian leaders.
The leaders,
representing Churches Uniting in Christ and more than 25 million church
members, included the Rev. Larry Pickens, chief executive, United
Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
"The United Methodist
Church and the Wesleyan movement have both served on the vanguard of
workers' rights throughout history," Pickens told United Methodist News
Service. "This is no exception. Meeting the needs of working families
who seek to work with dignity is a function of a civilized society."
Asking for approval of
the wage increase when Congress resumes after the November elections,
the Oct. 24 letter pointed out that the current minimum pay scale is a
"poverty wage" that has an impact on all segments of society.
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Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor This
map shows the different minimum wage laws by state. Green: Wage is
higher than the federal (includes Alaska and Hawaii). Blue: Same as the
federal. Red: Lower than the federal. Yellow: No minimum wage law.
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This
map shows the different minimum wage laws by state. This map shows the
different minimum wage laws by state. Green: Wage is higher than the
federal (includes Alaska and Hawaii). Blue: Same as the federal. Red:
Lower than the federal. Yellow: No minimum wage law. Image courtesy of
the U.S. Department of Labor. Photo #06-593. Accompanies UMNS story
#316. 5/31/06 |
"Minimum wage workers today have less buying power than minimum wage workers did in 1950," the church leaders wrote.
Church leaders noted
the "growing hidden underclass" in the United States and added that
"poverty disproportionately affects people of color who, according to a
report from the U.S. Census Bureau, experience a higher rate of poverty
in this country. Indeed, African Americans and Hispanics are nearly
three times as likely to live under the poverty line, and nearly two
times as likely to live under twice the official poverty."
Pickens said United
Methodists are committed to addressing the need for a minimum wage
increase and being "in solidarity with millions of people and working
families who seek a livable wage."
He added that he was
pleased to support the ecumenical initiative on the minimum wage, noting
that poverty is an issue that draws diverse religious groups together.
"Eradicating poverty is
an area on which there is agreement that the church has to play a role
in advocating for workers and families," Pickens said.
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A UMNS Web-only photo courtesy of North Carolina Council of Churches The “Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign” urges the U.S. Congress to pass an increase in the minimum wage.
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The
“Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign”, a program of more than 70
faith and community groups including the United Methodist Board of
Church and Society, urges the U.S. Congress to pass an increase in the
minimum wage. The U.S. Senate voted down an increase in the minimum wage
on June 21. A UMNS Web-only photo courtesy of North Carolina Council of
Churches. Photo #W06-105. Accompanies UMNS story #390. 6/26/06. |
Other signers of the letter were the Rt. Rev. Philip R. Cousin Sr.,
senior bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church; Bishop William Graves
Sr., senior bishop, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; the Most Rev.
Frank T. Griswold, presiding bishop and primate, Episcopal Church, USA;
the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church
of America; and the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the
general assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Also, the Rev. Michael
Livingston, president, International Community of Churches; the Rev.
John H. Thomas, general minister and president, United Church of Christ;
the Most Rev. George W. Walker Sr., senior bishop, African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church; the Rev. Sharon E. Watkins, general minister and
president, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); and the Rev. David
Wickmann, president, Provincial Elders, Moravian Church, Northern
Province.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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Resources
Letter to Congress
Churches Uniting in Christ
Let Justice Roll
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