LAS CRUCES— A “Work with Dignity” rally is scheduled for Sunday, 9/7, at 5:00 p.m. at Mountainview Market, 1300 El Paseo Rd, on the corner of El Paseo & Idaho. CAFé faith leaders and workers will launch their local BUYcott to support businesses who support a dignity wage. CAFé leaders will rally a day before the Las Cruces City Council and Mayor Miyagishima vote on their historic ballot initiative to raise the wage to $10.10 by 2017, including improved wages for tipped earners.
Back in June, the city council voted in a mere raise to $8.50 in 2 years that will not have an impact on people’s lives nor the local economy. The vote was 4-3 with Mayor Miyagishima, Councilor Miguel Silva, Ceil Levatino and Greg Smith voting for $8.50 with no improvement for tipped earners, and Councilors Nathan Small, Olga Pedroza, and Gil Sorg voting against it. CAFé anticipates that their ordinance to improve wages to $10.10 will be voted down by the same vote, which then leaves it up to Las Cruces voters to decide.
Anticipating a vote against their ordinance, CAFé faith leaders and workers are asking the Mayor and City Council to vote on a combined and concurrent election on November 4th.
“From day one we have worked to ensure that we followed the letter of the law in our city charter with our citizen led ballot initiative. We are asking the Mayor and City Council to honor all of their constituents who signed this petition - in good faith - and allow this question to go before the voters of our city.” stated Angelica Rubio, campaign manager. “Over 6,000 people who signed this petition are counting on them to allow our city to vote for or against increasing the minimum wage.”
Reverend Nancy Anderson, who collected signatures, explains, “My religious values teach that every person is valuable, and paying a dignified wage is one way to value people. If two adults in a young family just starting out in minimum wage jobs each earned $10.10 per hour, totaling $20.20, their lives would be enhanced.” Rev. Anderson continues, “When all that is left at the end of the month after paying bills is $20, a family cannot enjoy life at all. They are simply struggling to survive. Our children and families deserve the dignity that an increased minimum wage can provide.
New Mexico Senator Bill Soules applauded CAFé’s efforts to launch a local BUYcott to support businesses who support a dignity wage. “Recent data shows that the 13 states and cities who raised their minimum wage have seen improvement in their local economies.” stated Sen. Soules. He added, “CAFé’s BUYcott will honor small, local businesses who are using innovative business models to pay their employees a decent wage and looking forward into the future. These businesses understand that by paying employees a decent wage, their retention rate increases and overall makes good business sense.”
What: “Work with Dignity” Rally
Who: CAFé faith leaders & workers
Invited: NM Senator Bill Soules, Mayor Ken Miyagishima and Las Cruces City Council members
When: Sunday, 9/7 at 5:00 pm
Where: Mountainview Market, 1300 El Paseo Rd. on the corner of El Paseo & Idaho
For more information call Angelica Rubio at (575) 616-1151 or refer to CAFé’s website: www.OrganizeNM.org. If you did not get a chance to sign the petition to improve wages to $10.10 by 2017, you can still register to vote or pledge your commitment to vote in November at the CAFé offices located at 133 Wyatt Drive, Suite #1.
Join the Dignity Movement! This is the beginning of our dignity movement in Las Cruces and across the nation. We are building a multi-faith community of leaders that values all of God’s children and brings dignity to the forefront.