S.L. may give living-wage 'preference'

Salt Lake City may not be able to require the companies it contracts with to provide a living wage and benefits to their workers, but it can "give preference."

That is according to Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, who spoke at a living wage rally outside the Salt Lake City/County Building on Tuesday night.

Advocates for fair labor and the poor see Salt Lake City adopting a living wage ordinance as a solution to reducing poverty among families.

A recent study of jobs by Utah Jobs with Justice found almost 50 percent of Utah jobs pay less than the amount necessary to raise a family of four above the poverty level (about $8.85 an hour).

"Working poverty is a major problem in the state of Utah," said George Neckel, director of Utah Jobs with Justice.

But convincing the Salt Lake City Council has been difficult. Last July, the same group proclaimed it had drafted a city ordinance that would require companies going after Salt Lake City contracts to prove they pay their employees more than $8.85 an hour, plus health insurance. At that time, Utah Jobs with Justice anticipated the ordinance would be briskly passed by the City Council. But it didn't happen.

Neckel said Tuesday the group continues to talk with council members.

"Three out of the seven council members say they are strongly in favor," Neckel said.

But the mayor said he does not plan on waiting. Anderson said Tuesday that after conferring with the city attorney's office, he plans to sign an executive order, which would make the issue of living wages city policy — at least on a temporary basis.

Anderson said drafting the language was difficult and he blamed the Utah Legislature. In 2000, the Legislature passed a law forbidding cities from discriminating against contractors for paying anything but the federal minimum wage of $5.15 an hour, and giving no benefits.

On top of that, Anderson said he plans to ask contractors to show proof of a non-discrimination policy in their companies — one that includes sexual orientation. Although state law prohibits the city from requiring such things, Anderson said he intends to "give preference" to companies that can show these things.

In the meantime, advocates say they plan to keep trying to convince the City Council to pass an ordinance. Neckel said with the mayoral election looming, a new mayor could easily rescind the executive order, although Neckel said mayoral candidate Frank Pignanelli has indicated he would support a similar policy.

Anderson said he could not say when the executive order would be signed, or if it would be signed before election day.

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