Race To The Top, Not The Bottom - Support Living Wage Campaign

national | worker & community struggles and protests | press release Wednesday July 12, 2006 12:38 by Graham Ó Maonaigh - Labour Youth

Labour Youth have called given their full support to the Living Wage
campaign that demands that all City Council contracts are awarded only
to companies that pay a Living Wage of at least €10 an hour, as proposed
by Cllr Eric Byrne in a motion to Dublin City Council.

STATEMENT BY LABOUR YOUTH
Wednesday, 12 July 2006

Speaking in advance of the launch of the campaign in City Hall this
afternoon (2pm), to be attended by Labour Leader, Pat Rabbitte, and
trade union representatives, Labour Youth Vice-Chair, Neil Ward, said:
"The Living Wage campaign is one which Labour Youth wholeheartedly
supports. We will actively campaign on this issue over the coming
months.

“The Living Wage, if implemented, will begin a race-to-the-top to
replace the race-to-the-bottom.

“In the United States several colleges have successfully introduced a
Living Wage for low paid workers. Students and Unions have worked
successfully together in this campaign. Labour Youth will be
investigating with our friends in the union movement whether such a
campaign in Irish colleges would be beneficial.

“We will also be encouraging councillors from across the country to put
motions similar to Eric Byrne’s before their local authorities.

“We believe that the proposal of €10 per hour is a sound one. We are
calling for the abolition of poverty wages. Any employer who pays
poverty wages should be named, shamed and preferably made to live on
poverty wages themselves.

“The trend towards contracting work in order to undermine the rights of
workers is scandalous, and needs to end. Creating a Living Wage is a
necessary step in that direction."

ENDS - For more information contact Neil Ward at 085 713 4159