[Florida] County's living wage success with workers

from The Miami Herald

A new study shows the quality of life for workers has increased since the living wage policy went into effect in 1999.

BY NIALA BOODHOO

Workers who fall under the Miami-Dade County's living wage ordinance say since the policy took effect they have a better ability to pay off debt, save more and live better, according to a study released Wednesday.

On average, survey respondents said their salaries increased $5,720 a year, or 40 percent.

The results are a graphic demonstration of how much a difference a few thousand dollars can make in the lives of lower-income workers, said Bruce Nissen, an FIU labor professor who authored the study.

''The improvements in the quality of their lives were substantial: a bigger apartment, a better car that didn't break down. A few said they could help their relatives [more], and a few also said they didn't have to work a second job,'' he said.

Passed in 1999, the living wage ordinance was intended to pay a salary that would keep a family of four above the poverty line. It lifted the floor of county workers' wages below the minimum wage, which at the time was $5.15 an hour.

Today, the current living wage is $9.81 an hour with healthcare benefits, or $11.23 without, and will be adjusted again in October according to inflation. It now covers about 5,000 workers in Miami-Dade County, estimated Nissen, who surveyed 78 workers for the study.

The ordinance covers all county employees and service contractors, Public Health Trust workers and ground service providers at Miami International Airport.
Nissen, who supported the initiative before it was passed, said he was surprised at how positive the results were.

More than half said their transportation situation improved, 58 percent said they were able to have better housing, and almost 88 percent said their ability to pay bills improved.

A snapshot of those surveyed: most were Hispanic, 55 percent, and about 38 percent said they were black. The average age was 43. Most said they were full-time employees.

Contrary to what opponents of living wage often argue, very few said they were aware of layoffs since the law took place. Just 7 percent said their hours were cut, and only 5 percent said they were made to work harder.