KEJA
Economic
Justice Policy
Framework
CRITICAL ISSUES 2006-2010
Fair Wages, Good Jobs
Goal:
Improve the benefits of employment to Kentucky’s individuals and
families by strengthening salaries, benefits, training and expanding job
opportunities.
Analysis: With the rising
costs of energy, tuition, health care and housing, many of Kentucky’s
least paid workers struggle to make ends meet and support their families.
As of January 2007, Kentucky’s minimum wage had been stuck at $5.15 an hour for ten years. Recent analysis of individual workers’ wages revealed that 126,000 Kentucky workers were paid less than $7.00 per hour, a proposed state minimum wage level. Another 149,000 Kentucky workers made somewhat more than $7.00 per hour but would probably receive a wage boost if the minimum wage were raised to $7.00. Eighty three (83) percent of these 275,000 low wage workers are twenty and older, 55 percent are full time workers, 37 percent are married, and 24 percent have children.
Employers
are increasingly dropping health benefits for their employees, or shifting
more of the health care costs to their employees. At the same time, Kentucky
sends the highest income tax bill in the nation to workers earning just
above poverty wages.
Principles: All Kentuckians benefit when
workers receive fair wages and benefits and can exercise their right to
organize. Access to Kentucky’s college and vocational schools –
a key to better earnings – should be affordable to all. Kentucky’s
investments in economic development should focus on the development of
good jobs that provide good benefits and opportunities for professional
growth.
Accomplishments: KEJA and the KY Raise the Wage Coalition worked throughout the 2007 legislative session to pass a bill raising the minimum wage. Thousands of Kentuckians who earned the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour got a raise in July 2007 to $5.85, with increases to come in 2008 & 2009.. Find out more
Back to Policy Framework