DC COPE Takes Up Action Agenda

The DC COPE held it's first meeting since the May DC City Council Special Elections last Thursday, adopting an action agenda through Fall 2007. One of the major issues discussed was developing a strategy to get the Council to move on the Large Retail Accountability Act of 2007. The act "would require retail stores such as Wal-mart and Target -- that build stores over 75,000 sq. feet and have over $1 billion in annual national sales -- to give job priority to DC residents and pay workers a Living Wage of $11.70 per hour," says Rick Powell, Metro Council Political Coordinator. "Currently, Republican Councilmember Carol Schwartz (At-large) has a stranglehold on the bill," Powell says. Other immediate priorities of the action agenda are lining up Council affiliates to commit to testify against the Noise Law bill and in support of the Paid Sick and Safe Days Act at Council hearings on Monday July 9. Discussion at the meeting also focused on putting together a Community /Labor Summit and preparations for the 2008 DC City Council elections. The next meeting of the DC COPE will be on July 11th at 5:30P. For more info, contact Rick Powell, 202-974-8154; rpowell@dclaborarchives.org