WHEREAS,
The "Philadelphia 21st Century Minimum Wage Standard" ordinance was enacted in 2005 to assure that as many employees as possible within the City of Philadelphia earn a wage that enables them to live with more dignity and increased economic self-sufficiency; and,
WHEREAS,
The local minimum wage standard was based on a Pennsylvania Job Creation Tax Credit Law; and,
WHEREAS,
The
New Minimum Wage and Benefits Ordinance
, which took effect on July 1,
requires City-supported employers to pay at least 150% of the federal minimum wage to its employees. It also mandates that if the employer provides healthcare benefits to any of its employees, the employer shall provide each full-time employee healthcare benefits at least as valuable as the basic healthcare benefits that are provided to the employer's other full-time employees; and,
WHEREAS,
Employers subject to the Standard include:
The City of Philadelphia, including all its agencies, departments and offices.
For-profit Service Contractors, which receive or are subcontractors on contract(s) for $10,000 or more from the City in a twelve-month period, with annual gross receipts of more than $1,000,000.
Non-profit Service Contractors which receive or are subcontractors on contract(s) from the City of more than $100,000 in a twelve-month period.
Recipients of City leases, concessions, or franchises, or subcontractors thereof, which employ more than twenty-five (25) employees.
City financial aid recipients. Compliance shall be required for a period of five (5) years following receipt of aid.
Public agencies
,
which receive contract(s) for $10,000 or more from the City in a twelve-month period; and
WHEREAS
, Philadelphia City Council has shifted tens of millions of dollars in annual real estate tax revenue to the Philadelphia School District through the Goode Public Education Reinvestment ordinance enacted in 2007; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED,
That the Council of the City of Philadelphia calls upon the School Reform Commission to adopt the principles of the Philadelphia 21st Century Minimum Wage and Benefits Standard.
End