Faith Leaders Join Airport Workers and Other Allies to Celebrate Wage Hike Victory

PHILADELPHIA - May 21, 2014 - PRLog -- WHAT:Press Conference Celebrating Ballot Wage Hike

WHO: Rev. Gregory Holston, POWER; Airport Workers; Elected officials; Daisy Cruz, 32BJ SEIU

WHEN:Thursday, May 22, 9:30am

WHERE:City Hall, 4^th Floor, outside of Council chambers

VISUALS: Signs, banners, celebratory cake

PHILADELPHIA – Faith leaders with POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower & Rebuild), airport workers and supporters celebrate news that Philadelphia will become the next city to raise the wage for thousands of low-wage workers. Passed with an overwhelming majority of 75%, ballot referendum #1 (http://yesononephilly.org/) will change the city charter to ensure that subcontracted workers on City contracts and under City leases—including thousands of airport workers—finally receive the City’s minimum wage and benefits standard, which now stands at $10.88/hour plus benefits.

POWER clergy leaders – representing Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations from across the city –declared that the decisive passage of Ballot Question 1 was due, in part, to their innovative and systematic voter engagement work over the past three months.  “We have called and knocked on the doors of more than 45,000 voters who don’t normally vote in primary elections.  We believe that this made the difference” said Rev. Gregory Holston, pastor of New Vision United Methodist Church in the Logan neighborhood and POWER leader.

Workers who stand to benefit from the new law also applauded the vote.  “Thank you, Philadelphia. A raise to $10.88 will allow me to pay my bills, go to school and move forward with my life,” said baggage handler Rondell Johnson who currently makes just $7.25 an hour. “This is the start of more change to come. The fight for a better airport and a better Philadelphia goes on.”

www.powerphiladelphia.org
http://yesononephilly.org/
#YesOnOne

POWER is 40 congregations of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith traditions located throughout Philadelphia and with a collective membership of more than 25,000 individuals. POWER is an affiliate of the PICO National Network (http://www.piconetwork.org/)