PAGE 2A | GRUNION GAZETTE | May 10, 2012
GAZETTE COMMENTARY
Living Wage Initiative Abuse Worsens In Bad Economy Won’t Protect Worker How do you keep good employees? Pay them a fair wage, give them a good working environment, provide decent benefits — in other words, show them you value them. How do you get companies to treat their workers fairly? That’s been a tougher question over the years. The government has tried regulation. The workers have tried unionization. Now the advocates are trying mandates through the ballot box. Specifically, we’re speaking of the Unite Here folks who have apparently gathered enough signatures to put a “living wage” initiative on the November ballot. The initiative would cover only hospitality workers at hotels. It once included the convention center and airport, but was made even more specific. It’s important to remember that most of the folks advocating the living wage — and paying the petition circulators — are the same folks who have tried to the last several years to unionize the workers at some of Long Beach’s largest hotels. For one reason or another (organizers say owners have blocked their efforts, owners say their workers don’t want/ need the union), those efforts have failed. So this effort, which would require a minimum salary of $13 an hour if approved by voters, could be seen as another way to fight for workers’ rights. That’s certainly how Unite Here will characterize the effort. On the surface, it’s tough to argue against an effort that would appear to ask for only a reasonable safety net. After all, a minimum wage earner — $8 an hour in California — gets only $320 for a 40-hour week. That’s before taxes. Most of the time, that worker is going to end up qualifying for food stamps. We want our neighbors to do better than that. Heck, it’s better for the community as a whole to have people do better than that. Of course, that’s the reason there’s a minimum wage in the first place. There are employers more than willing to pay as little as possible no matter what the consequences, and especially in a down economy with double-digit unemployment, there’s almost always someone willing to do the work more cheaply. But that minimum wage is set across the board — there are few,
if any, exceptions to the rule of paying at least that much. This particular ballot initiative is extremely narrow, aimed at a few employers. If Long Beach were to decide as a city that everyone here was going to earn a higher minimum wage than that required by the state, it might cause business owners to go scurrying to Lakewood or Signal Hill, but at least it would be fair. In fact, that’s exactly what California has done — its $8 an hour minimum wage is 75¢ an hour more than the national minimum (and some would argue that has lost the state many businesses). A look at the changing face of employment in light of the latest recession might offer a clue as to how an across-the-board minimum wage increase might work. For the most part, employers aren’t filling full-time, permanent positions as the economy recovers, according to the labor experts. Instead, they are hiring temporary workers. Another new model is the permanent part-time worker. If you work 30 hours a week or less, those precious benefits aren’t required, and you are either without health insurance or paying through the nose (health care reform notwithstanding). That’s a huge part of the payroll — just ask the bean counters trying to balance the city budget. It’s possible to go another route, however, and it doesn’t require employees with advanced degrees, either. Take a look at the Starbucks model, or even In-nOut Burger. They take essentially entry level jobs, provide a decent wage and buy-in, and in Starbucks’ case even benefits for less than 40 hours. They keep the good employees. Regarding the living wage initiative, we have to say that it is far too limited, or targeted, if you prefer. The ulterior motive is transparently clear — and less than honorable from our perspective. We completely agree that there has to be a way to better the situation of those workers who continue to struggle to make ends meet. And we’re well aware that a total lack of regulation will do the workers no favors. But in this case, the “solution” is far from a solution, and unfair to boot. This ballot initiative should be a non-starter.
BY TULYNN SMYLIE The need for services is still growing. Gloria (not her real name) is in her late 40s, and is the mother of two children. She had been in a 12-year relationship with her batterer, who abused her physically and emotionally, often in front of her two children. Gloria’s 14-year-old son had a debilitating genetic condition that causes cognitive disabilities, respiratory problems and problems with fine motor coordination. Gloria’s 11year old daughter was traumatized by the abuse she witnessed her mother experience and was hospitalized after two attempted suicides. After a particularly drunken and abusive incident, Gloria sought help from WomenShelter of Long Beach. She said that she had stayed with her batterer because her son’s care was very demanding and expensive, and her abuser provided the sole means of financial support. Gloria was afraid to go out on her own especially with the economy being so bad. Gloria’s case is all too familiar to those who work in the domestic violence field. Despite reports in the media that the country is on the road to economic recovery, this improvement is taking its time reaching domestic violence victims and the organizations that serve them. While calls to law enforcement related to domestic violence may be holding steady or even in a decline in some areas, anecdotal evidence indicate the need for services increasing. WomenShelter has seen a steady increase for the need for all services. The agency’s shelter is full year round
— in the past year, 570 victims and children were referred to other shelters because the shelter did not have space. At the resource center, more people came in seeking therapy, peer support and case management, legal and medical advocacy. There is a ready explanation of a possible decline in calls to law enforcement involving domestic violence. Victims know that there are fewer jobs out there. If they call the police and their partner or spouse is arrested or spends several days in jail, this might have negative impacts on their spouse’s employment. So they don’t call. The current economy creates a widening gap between needs and available services. Once-reliable public funding programs have had to reduce their grant-making budgets by dramatically high percentages. So while the need for services is increasing, the funding for domestic violence and sexual assault services is declining. Government support remains critical for the programs and services that provide a safe haven from the abuse as well as help domestic violence victims regain their self esteem and obtain the financial means to leave their abusive situations. One such source of funding is the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which is currently being debated for reauthorization in Congress. Initially passed in 1994, VAWA sought to protect women and
girls from violence, sexual assault and stalking. It also set up a funding mechanism for programs that assisted these victims. Because batterers often used fear of deportation to keep an undocumented victim in line, VAWA also provided a way for undocumented immigrants who were experiencing domestic violence to obtain legal residency status by assisting in the investigation and prosecution of criminal behavior. This encouraged immigrant victims to come forward and report the abuse and be shielded from immediate deportation. The current reauthorization bill recently passed the Senate, but not before a contentious vote. Republicans had opposed Democrats’ version of the normally uncontroversial bill. GOP senators had sought to strike certain provisions seeking to extend or enhance VAWA protections to immigrants, Native Americans, and gays and lesbians. Although VAWA’s reauthorization was passed by the Senate, it is now facing a difficult battle in the House. House Republicans are seeking defeat this bill by adding on amendments and changes that will essentially gut the bill’s protections. As for Gloria, with assistance from WomenShelter staff, she moved out from her batterer’s home and into a small apartment with her two children. WomenShelter staff helped her obtain state disability funding for her (Continued on Page 3A)
Mother’s Day Means Mothering Editor’s Note: Lisa Ramelow is a familiar figure wherever a good cause is being promoted. She attended this year’s edition of Jewels of the Night for the Long Beach State Athletic Foundation, and purchased this space for a week. Here’s Lisa: When I was young, my most fervent desire was to become a mother one day. I loved little children. Their enthusiasm and joy were inspiring, and it came naturally to me to care for others. I grew up in Belmont Shore, and when I was 12 I began babysitting every kid in the neighborhood. I started at 50¢ an hour, but that quickly moved up to $1 an hour — inflation, you know. I used to stack my dollar bills in a pile and hide them in the top drawer of my dresser. I suppose I was a budding entrepreneur of sorts even then. But mostly, I loved the kids. I came up with many creative and fun things for them to do. My mother Rita had been a great example for me. My mathematical side came into play as I kept track of just how often I had babysitting jobs — I remember my record was 37 nights in a row. I went on to college, got a degree and a good job that I loved. I worked there eight years before
finally realizing my dream of becoming a “real” mom. There is no feeling in the world that compares to looking down at that sweet little baby looking up at you, their little eyes saying, “I’m yours.” I relished being a mom. The homework, making lunches, sewing Halloween costumes — believe me, that Ninja Turtle costume I made for my son when he was in kindergarten had more pattern pieces than anything I had ever sewn for myself! It was a constant go-round of PTA, school carnivals, scouting, sports, Mickey Mouse waffles and the many hours spent giving them every opportunity possible. Oh, and don’t forget all the trips to the emergency room, for me mostly with my daughter. I know, why DID she put those 2 metal marbles from that game in her mouth, then swallow one of them? And there was the time she tried to do a flip in one of those birthday-party-jump houses
and bit her tongue in half down the middle. Ahhhh, those were the days. I don’t know what was more challenging, getting them to sleep in their own beds, or dealing with them as teenagers. But I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything. There is no better job than motherhood, pure and simple. And life certainly comes full circle. I am now blessed to be in a profession where I get to be a mother to many — to all of my employees as well as to the many patrons of my business. It is an environment of caring for others, which suits me perfectly. I’ve been asked before if I would want to run for office some day, and the answer is a resounding “NO.” Upon hearing someone ask me that, my son said, “Mom, you would never like that. You’re much better being the Godmother of Belmont Shore.” Very true my son, very true. And I do like that title. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers everywhere. We deserve to celebrate a job well done, and the wonderful honor of being a Mom. xoxo Lisa Lisa Ramelow is the owner and operator of La Strada in Belmont Shore.