The push for living wage gains momentum post pandemic
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The pandemic has been a year of waiting, fear, and financial uncertainty for many Americans, but as we begin to ease out of that, some businesses say that jobs are sitting vacant. The claim is that people do not want to go back to work.
Proponents of increasing the minimum wage say businesses and legislators should be looking at why some people might not want to return to certain kinds of work.
“I think the pandemic has brought this idea and thought of a living wage to the surface,” says George Young, Oklahoma State Senator, Senate District 48 (D).
Young has introduced minimum wage bills for years and says they have never been heard. He adds that there is a problem when a full-time job earns you less or the same as unemployment benefits and that the low pay is the issue.
“These are not high school students and college students making minimum wage. These are individuals who are trying to make it in life, who have families, who have homes, who have transportation problems,” says Young.
Oklahoma students are also involved in the push for a living wage. WageUpOKC started as a school project for 8th graders, and students have continued to develop it through high school. Their goal is to inform Oklahomans about businesses that do pay a living wage now, and those who have a plan to get there. WageUpOKC believes a living wage in Oklahoma starts at 12 dollars an hour.
“We want the public to know that these are businesses that can be trusted and that is a good place to spend their money,” says Kate Skarky, WageUpOKC founding member.
The group adds it has connected with lawmakers about the push to increase the minimum wage to a living wage in Oklahoma
“Recently, we have also been reaching out to politicians-- of course George Young has been especially helpful, a great resource. he loves supporting the living wage that we advocate for,” says Gary Smith, WageUP OKC web specialist.
Some small business owners across the nation have expressed concern over needing to increase pay.
However, these students say it doesn't seem right to be unable to pay for life and a family while working full-time or multiple jobs.
“The pros overall will outweigh the cons. I mean, like if businesses pay their employees more, then that creates more consumers to be able to buy products and stimulate the economy,” says Sarah Miller, WageUpOKC founding member.
At the federal level, there was a conversation about increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour, but that topic has fizzled for the moment. Senator Young says he will continue to file wage increase legislation in Oklahoma, but that it would require Republican support to pass.
WageUpOKC says these partners already pay a living wage in Oklahoma:
- Fowler Automotive
- Westminster School
- United Way of Central Oklahoma
- Red Coyote
- SSM Health
- Banc First
- Keep it Local OK
- Commonplace Books
- Gil's Clothing and Denim Bar
- Straightaway Delivery, LLC (employs drivers to deliver packages for Amazon)
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