NYC Council Approves ‘Living Wage’ Bill Bloomberg Vowed to Veto

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-30/nyc-council-approves-living-wage-bill-bloomberg-vowed-to-veto.html

By Henry Goldman - Apr 30, 2012 3:43 PM CT

New York’s City Council approved a law requiring employers to pay workers at least $10 an hour on economic-development projects that receive $1 million in tax abatements or low-cost financing.

The so-called living-wage bill, written after months of negotiating among council members, union leaders and developers, would affect at least 600 workers a year, said Council Speaker Christine Quinn, a Manhattan Democrat. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent, has pledged to veto the measure.

“When we invest in economic development, we should expect that the jobs created are good jobs,” Quinn said today before entering the council’s chambers, where members passed the bill 44 to 5. More than 34 votes exist to override a veto, she said. The mayor has said he’ll sue to block the law if that happens.

The law would require business owners in future city-aided projects to pay $11.50 an hour, or $10 with health benefits, in projects that get at least $1 million from the city Economic Development Corp. It would exempt workers in manufacturing, affordable housing, nonprofit organizations and small businesses.

FULL story at link.

[xchrom]

1. du rec. nt

[independentpiney]

2. Even in the outer boro's $10/hour doesn't seem like a 'living wage' for NYC

Rent, food and transportation could eat that up pretty fast. I know it would be a positive step, but still it's not a living wage.