OUR MISSION

The Living Wage Coalition of Sonoma County (LWCSC) was formally established
in the fall of 2000 and is a broad-based coalition endorsed by over thirty
labor, religious, and community-based organizations in the county. The main
purpose of the coalition is to address the problem of growing income
inequality and poverty in our community. The mission statement adopted by
the coalition is:

"The Living Wage Coalition of Sonoma County believes that the dignity of
all work demands just wages to meet today's living costs. A 'living wage'
includes income and benefits sufficient for basic housing, healthcare,
child care, nutrition, transportation, education and retirement. To this
end, the LWCSC is focused on educating our entire community about the
necessity of legislating living wages to foster a better society."

The primary goal of the coalition is to win approval of living wage
ordinances which mandate that cities, the county, and firms receiving
economic assistance or service contracts from local government pay
employees a living wage and provide health benefits.

Our coalition is part of a rapidly spreading nationwide movement. Living
wage legislation has been successfully implemented in 130 cities and
counties and another 60 ordinances are pending. In California, Los Angeles,
Santa Monica, Ventura, Berkeley, Oakland, Santa Cruz, San Jose, San
Francisco, Pittsburg, West Hollywood, Pasadena, and Hayward have passed
living wage ordinances. The coalition intends to propose living wage
ordinances to municipalities throughout the county and to the County of
Sonoma. Further, we believe the LWCSC can bring together diverse
constituencies in the county to advocate for local economic development
policies to end low-wage poverty and promote equity, economic opportunity,
and a sustainable regional economy.

Co-Chairs:
Michael Allen, President, North Bay Labor Council
Marty Bennett, Santa Rosa Junior College/California Federation of Teachers

Coordinator: Ben Boyce

LIVING WAGE COALITION OF SONOMA COUNTY
Phone: 707-478-9663
Email: ben.boyce[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
PO Box 427
Santa Rosa, CA 95402

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