City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 31, 2001
CONTACT: Bernard Caton, (804) 644-3710, Legislative Director
or Mark Jinks (703) 838-4300, Assistant City Manager

ALEXANDRIA OFFICIALS TO FIGHT FOR LIVING WAGE POLICIES

Alexandria City officials will hold a press conference on Thursday, February 1 at 11 a.m. in House Room 4 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond to express their support for local authority to establish living wage policies. City officials oppose legislation related to this issue that is being considered in this year’s General Assembly Session. Three bills (SB 961, HB 1931, and HB 2862) seek to invalidate Alexandria’s living wage ordinance, which requires City service contractors to pay their workers a wage that is above the federal poverty income level for a family of four ($17,050 annually).

The City set its hourly minimum wage for City service contracts at $9.84 per hour, of which $1.64 an hour is intended to cover health insurance benefits. This state legislation is also opposed by the State AFL-CIO, the Virginia Municipal League, the Virginia Association of Counties, many religious organizations and numerous living wage supporters throughout the State.

The City believes that issues such as the living wage can best be addressed at the local level of government, where elected officials can take into account specific local situations, such as the cost of living. In Alexandria, the average monthly rent for a two bedroom apartment in 2000 was $1,076, which is more than the total monthly wages of a person earning the minimum wage. Alexandria adopted its living wage ordinance after 3 years of study by the City Council and extensive input from members of the community. The living wage ordinance has broad support in Alexandria.

Among the Alexandria elected officials expected to take part in the press conference are Mayor Kerry Donley and other members of City Council, Senator Patricia Ticer, Delegate Brian Moran, and Delegate Marian Van Landingham.

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