As this year’s keynote speaker for Peace with Justice Center of Pomona Valley’s annual program, Rev. Alexia Salvatierra discussed the survival of the working poor during President Bush’s second term.
Local peace activists gathered at a fundraising dinner to support the peaceful work the organization provided to the community last month at the La Verne Church of the Brethren.
“This fundraiser helps us put on various programs in the community throughout the year to address peace and justice issues, such as the plight of poor workers and the impact of thewar in Iraq,” said Marjorie Mikels, a member of the Peace with Justice board of directors.
The organization’s theme for 2005 is “Corporations in U.S. Life.”
Given that theme, Salvatierra spoke about the hardships many full-time, minimum-wage workers face today.
Salvatierra, executive director of the Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, is also an advocate for Justice for Labor, the “victims of the PATRIOT Act” and the Sanctuary Movement.
Salvatierra said that more than 30 percent of workers in Los Angeles are considered to be working poor, meaning their minimum wage incomes cannot provide the basic necessities without government assistance.
Though many of these workers have full-time jobs, they cannot even afford the average apartment rent in the poorest communities of Los Angeles County, which is typically $1,100 a month.
With limited options, one way workers can afford an apartment for their family is by finding another family to share the cost. This practice, however, is illegal; they may be evicted and could face legal troubles.
Another option is for the worker to get an additional job. However, the issues of childcare come into play, which many of the workers still cannot afford.
The only seemingly feasible option left is welfare.
So Salvatierra stressed that low-wage workers must band together. One way they can gain power is by unionizing.
“Unfortunately today individual workers are seen as disposable,” she said. “A union makes a worker a person.”
Salvatierra said unionized workers have 20 percent higher salaries than non-represented workers do. For example, the average hotel worker makes $7 to $8 per hour; a unionized hotel worker makes about $10 to $11.
But there are some negative aspects of unions. A recent Human Rights Watch study found that 30,000 workers each year lose their job or lose a significant amount of their income because they support a union. Though firing workers for unionizing is illegal, it is often a long battle in court.
Businesses, especially large corporations, could help low-wage workers by providing higher salaries and benefits for their full-time workers. Though Salvatierra said many corporations do not.
And the situation has gotten worse in recent years. In the 1970s, employers usually made 30 times more than their lowest paid workers. Today employers make 300 to 500 times more.
Costco is one corporation that is breaking the mold, Salvatierra said, adding that the company’s CEO Jim Sinegal is committed to protecting workers. The average Costco worker makes $17.50 an hour and receives full health and pension benefits.
To provide for his workers, Sinegal makes considerably less each year compared to CEOs of similar stores, such as Sam’s Club.
Salvatierra said it is possible for low-wage workers to win.
CLUE is a Los Angeles County-based interfaith association of more than 400 religious leaders united to support the working poor.
CLUE, Salvatierra said, provides moral authority, inspiration, support and information about workers’ rights.
For nearly 10 years, CLUE has supported hotel workers, security guards and nursing home staff among others.
CLUE also questions corporations’ treatment of workers.
CLUE was involved in preventing the development of the Wal-Mart in Inglewood, which would have caused mass job loss. CLUE was also a voice during the Southern California supermarket strike in 2003. Although workers then did not get everything they asked for, they were still awarded better treatment and some benefits.
“Economic justice is a place where there is good news,” Salvatierra said.
Tracy Spicer can be reached at tspicer@ulv.edu.