Living Wage Campaign Comes to Fairfax

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

Energized by the recent passage of DC's Living Wage Law, a coalition of labor and community groups in Northern Virginia have officially launched a campaign to bring a Living Wage ordinance to Fairfax County. Around 100 people gathered at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Falls' Church on Saturday for a public hearing to gather evidence in support of a proposal that would require all government contractors to pay their employees a living wage for work performed under those contracts. A panel including Fairfax County Supervisor Catherine Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill), Jon Liss of Tenants and Workers United, and Hugo Carballo of Laborers Local 11 heard testimony from workers and business leaders, attorneys, social service advocates, community leaders and clergy. "Fairfax County businesses should not enjoy taxpayer-funded public service contracts when their employees receive wages low enough to qualify for public assistance," said Clayton Sinyai, chair of the Campaign for a Living Wage. "No one would support paying teachers or firefighters as little as we can get away with," said Chris Zimmerman, an Arlington County Commissioner. "If we want the best people to provide services, we need to pay a Living Wage."

- Reported by Mackenzie Baris