RESOLUTION NO. 131
ESTABLISHING A LIVING WAGE FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY AND AMENDING THE 2021 ALBANY COUNTY BUDGET
Introduced: 4/12/21
By Lekakis, Willingham, Cunningham, McLean Lane, McLaughlin, Plotsky, Messrs. A. Joyce, Feeney, Bruschi, Clay, Cleary, Commisso, Efekoro, Ethier, Fein, Kuhn, Miller, Peter, Reidy, Reinhardt, Ricard, Simpson and Domalewicz:
WHEREAS, The Albany County Legislature takes pride in its workforce and has a long and demonstrated history of supporting higher than minimum wages for its employees, and
WHEREAS, In 2018, this Honorable Body endeavored in studying the effect of raising the hourly wages of employees to $15 per hour, to establish a living wage, and
WHEREAS, There has been a fight for economic justice which continues throughout the nation, and
WHEREAS, With the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy has been severely affected and economic recovery strategies should be implemented whenever possible, and
WHEREAS, Low wages, compounded by the growing wealth gap, contribute to a cycle of debt and poverty for women and minorities, and
WHEREAS, While increasing wages cannot alone close the wealth gap, it would increase the income of many County employees, especially minorities and women who have been disenfranchised from fair and equal wages since the beginning of time, and
WHEREAS, The Albany County Legislature has determined that the NY State minimum wage of $12.50 per hour is insufficient to support a minimal and basic standard of living in Albany County, and that an adequate wage to support such a standard of living is $15 per hour, and
WHEREAS, The Albany County Legislature does not have the legal authority to legislate a different minimum wage than the state minimum wage, but nevertheless it is the desire of this Honorable Body to take action within its power to provide a fair living wage to its employees, now, ...
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