Tompkins County Workers’ Center holds town hall on living wage efforts – The Ithaca Voice

Living Wage Town Hall in Ithaca Highlights Urgent Need for Wage Increase and Worker Protections

Overview of the Event

On Sunday, community members convened at the Southside Community Center in Ithaca, New York, for a Living Wage Town Hall organized by the Tompkins County Workers’ Center. The event focused on discussing the necessity of raising wages and enhancing worker protections throughout Tompkins County.

Community Voices and Personal Stories

The Town Hall provided a platform for local leaders and workers to present data and engage in dialogue about the impacts of wage increases on the community. Attendees shared personal experiences highlighting challenges related to working conditions in Ithaca.

• Jeff Cole, a former chef at a local grocery store, recounted being fired shortly after the death of his father, which led to homelessness. His story underscored the critical need for improved worker rights and support systems.
• Other community members expressed concerns about job insecurity, low wages, and housing affordability.

Data-Driven Insights Supporting Wage Increases

Ian Greer, senior researcher at Cornell Industrial and Labor Relations School’s Ithaca Co-Lab, presented key statistics to support the initiative:

1. Raising New York’s minimum wage to $21.25 could create 75,539 jobs statewide, including 2,787 in the Southern Tier region.
2. Increased disposable income from higher wages is expected to stimulate local economies through greater consumer spending.
3. High housing costs are a primary factor in economic unaffordability, with approximately 50% of renters in Tompkins County spending over 30% of their income on housing.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The initiative to raise the living wage and improve worker protections aligns closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – By increasing wages, the initiative aims to reduce poverty levels and improve economic security for workers.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Promoting fair wages and worker rights supports sustained, inclusive economic growth and productive employment.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The focus on inclusivity and outreach to minority communities seeks to address social and economic inequalities within Ithaca.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Addressing housing affordability and job security contributes to building resilient and sustainable urban communities.

Community and Leadership Perspectives

• Pete Meyers, a founder of the Tompkins County Workers’ Center, emphasized the importance of enabling workers to thrive rather than merely survive, advocating for collective action and resource sharing.
• Phoebe Brown, member of Ithaca’s Common Council, expressed support for the wage increase while urging inclusivity and representation of diverse communities in the initiative’s leadership and discussions.
• Jeff Cole called for immediate and collaborative efforts to address the intertwined crises of homelessness, job insecurity, and low wages in the region.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The Living Wage Town Hall highlighted the critical need for wage reforms and enhanced worker protections in Tompkins County. The event underscored the role of data-driven advocacy and community engagement in advancing sustainable economic development consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. Stakeholders are encouraged to continue collaborative efforts to implement living wages, promote equitable labor rights, and foster inclusive economic growth in the region.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses issues related to low wages, homelessness, and job insecurity, which are directly linked to poverty reduction.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The focus on living wages, worker protections, job creation, and economic benefits from increased disposable income relates to promoting sustained, inclusive economic growth and decent work for all.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights the need for inclusivity and representation of minority communities, addressing social and economic inequalities.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Issues such as affordable housing and homelessness in Tompkins County relate to making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
   • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 1
   • Proportion of population living below the national poverty line (implied by discussions on homelessness and job insecurity).
   • Coverage of social protection systems (implied by calls for increased worker protections and severance pay).
2. Indicators for SDG 8
   • Unemployment rate (implied by job insecurity and job creation statistics).
   • Proportion of workers earning a living wage (implied by the focus on raising minimum wage to $21.25).
   • Number of jobs created (explicitly mentioned: 75,539 jobs statewide, 2,787 in Southern Tier).
3. Indicator for SDG 10
   • Representation of minority communities in decision-making processes (implied by calls for inclusivity and diversity on panels).
4. Indicator for SDG 11
   • Proportion of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing (explicitly mentioned as about 50% in Tompkins County).
   • Homelessness rates (implied by personal stories and community concerns).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ithacavoice.org