by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
An initiative nearly two years in the making, the proposed Living Wage ordinance for City employees may undergo yet another revision. Despite having a newly-narrowed focus and more emphasis on employee training, City Council member Jerry Holland has offered two amendments he says will make a “more immediate impact” and a “broader focus.”
Earlier this week, Holland expressed interest in making changes to the revised bill — largely penned by Council member Kevin Hyde — at a joint meeting between the Council’s Finance, Rules and Recreation, Community Development and Education committees.
“In looking at what we have now with Kevin’s proposal,” said Holland, “I just don’t think it’s very different from the system we currently have in place or that it accomplishes much more.
“Based on availability, we already try to offer permanent positions to our temporary full- time employees who earn less than the current living wage. We’ll train them, too.”
Part of what Holland is proposing is that the scope of Hyde’s draft should be widened to include all temporary employees who have worked for the City for at least two years, not just those below a living wage.
“I think it’s a good idea to incorporate all of our employees who work in that capacity,” said Holland. “I think they all deserve to have career opportunities and necessary job training.
“The administration has already said they’re fine with that, so I think that part of what I’m proposing will go over well when committee discussions resume.”
A second amendment likely to receive a mixed Council reaction is Holland’s suggestion that temporary City employees be eligible to draw insurance benefits after two years of service, with or without permanent status.
“I realize Kevin may not support this second amendment because it has a much larger fiscal impact than what he’s proposed,” said Holland, “but I think it would provide the instant boost many temporary employees need right now.
“We don’t want to give false wages, but I hope it is something we can look at further during our next budget cycle.”
Mayor’s office spokesperson Susie Wiles said while Mayor John Peyton generally supported the virtue of a Living Wage, the bill, in any draft, would need to endure more scrutiny before he could fully support it.
“From the beginning, the mayor has been very clear of his support for the efforts of Council members Kevin Hyde and Pat Lockett-Felder,” she said. “We’ll have to properly analyze the fiscal impact of the bill’s newly expanded scope before we can comment any further.”
Hyde and Holland are expected to meet at City Hall today to discuss the changes.