Living Wage
What are Living Wage Campaigns?
Living Wage Campaigns are mobilizations by students, faculty, staff and/or other campus employees in demand of improved conditions for the workers of the college of university.
Campaigns tend to happen in schools where the minimum wage paid to any worker on campus is below a certain amount that is needed by a single worker to support a family, in other words, a living wage. This amount can be attained by both or either NGOs or local Government organizations. In general, living wages vary from state to state because of different prices of goods and services.
In the case of Dickinson, minimun wages for recently hired workers can be below a living wage.
History
Living Wage Campaigns were the logical progression of the Student Labor Movement from the anti-sweatshop campaigns. Initially, it was easy to understand injustices on the other side of the globe, but harder to understand that those same injustices were surrounding us. Living Wage campaigns started around 2001, and have been widespread accross the United States. In some places like Harvard, Wages have been increased in 20%, which is not sufficient for a Living Wage, but it is a significant improvement. Living Wage Campaigns started being disorganized and inconnected. Nevertheless, with the initial support of USAS, several new organizations and coalitions that connect these campaigns together and provide resources and help for students eager to fight these injustices. The most remarkable one is the Living Wage Action Coalition. To find out more about them, follow this link: Living Wage Action Coalition website To find out more the stories and experiences of students, workers and organizers fighting for Living Wages at colleges and universities, follow this link:
Important Achievements
Important Campaigns
To find out more about Living Wage Campaigns, follow these links that will take you to particular colleges or universities and their campaigns:
Georgetown Living Wage Campaign
