Unitarian Universalists Call for a Just Minimum Wage on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Marching for Wages and Dignity. Photo from www.fairwork.org

"There is nothing but a lack of social vision to prevent us from paying an adequate wage to every American [worker] whether he is a hospital worker, laundry worker, maid, or day laborer."
—The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Unitarian Universalists and other faith communities are raising their voices in support of the need for a just living wage as Americans prepare to honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 16. Working as part of the "Let Justice Roll" coalition, faith communities across the United States are planning to hold Living Wage events over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend to inspire, educate and mobilize congregations and community organizations to support and act for raising the minimum wage at both the Federal and State levels.

Among the Unitarian Universalist congregations participating are : Granite Peak UU Congregation, Prescott, AZ; UU Church of South County, Mission Viejo, CA; UU Church of Pueblo - Pueblo, CO; First Parish Unitarian Universalist, Arlington, MA; UU Fellowship of the Eastern Slopes, Tamworth, NH; Community Church of New York, UU, New York, NY; BuxMont UU Fellowship, Warrington, PA; Unitarian Society of Germantown, Philadelphia, PA; First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, CA; and United First Parish in Quincy, MA.

In the greater Boston area, US Senator Edward Kennedy is scheduled to deliver a speech in support of a Just Minimum Wage at an event to be held on Monday, January 16th at 2:30 p.m. at United First Parish Unitarian, Quincy MA (the historic "Church of the Presidents"). This event is sponsored by the Let Justice Roll Coalition and its partners, the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee , the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry , and United for a Fair Economy .

Kennedy will address the moral obligation and urgent necessity for increasing the minimum wage at the federal level as one step toward achieving a living wage. The national minimum wage has not been raised for nine years. To have the purchasing power it had in 1968 the minimum wage would have to be $9.05/hour today, $3.90 more than the current minimum wage of $5.15/hour. Senator Kennedy has been working with the national non-partisan interfaith and community Let Justice Roll campaign to introduce federal legislation to raise the national minimum wage.

Also participating in the Quincy event will be the New England Conservatory Millennium Gospel Choir under the direction of Pat Dance. Additional speakers will include the Rev. Sheldon Bennett, minister of United First Parish in Quincy; the Rev. Hurmon Hamilton, Pastor of Roxbury Presbyterian Church; Charlie Clements, President of UU Service Committee who will represent both the UUA and the UUSC; Rocio Saenz, President of Local SEIU 615; Maude Hurd, National President of ACORN (Association of Communication Organizations for Reform Now); and Robert Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches.

Visit these organizations for more information:

• Official Web site of Let Justice Roll : Faith and Community Voices Against Poverty
• Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community
• ACORN , Association of Communication Organizations for Reform Now
• National Council of Churches of Christ, USA

Resources:

• Information on the UUA/UU Service Committee's support of living wage
• Resources for Living Wage Worship Services and Events 
• UU Congregations Work to Support a Just Living Wage
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Words in Support of a Just Living Wage
• For Teachers and Children: The "Math" of Poverty from Tolerance.org

Books on Economic Justice:

• Storming Caesars Palace: How Black Mothers Fought Their Own War on Poverty, by Annelise Orleck, Beacon Press
• At Canaan's Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-68, by Taylor Branch, Simon and Schuster
• Bridging the Class Divide: And Other Lessons for Grassroots Organizing, by Linda Stout, Beacon Press
• The Unknown City: The Lives of Poor and Working-Class Young Adults, by Michelle Fine and Lois Weis, Beacon Press
• Don't Call Us Out of Name: The Untold Lives of Women and Girls in Poor America, by Lisa Dodson, Beacon Press

Unitarian Universalist Association
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