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Activists rally for 'living wage' in Santa Barbara

3/16/05

By JOSHUA MOLINA

NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Nearly 100 people gathered on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday to launch their plan for a citywide "living wage" ordinance that would pay some 500 to 1,000 workers more money.

"It makes sense," Daraka Larimore-Hall, 29, said to the crowd. "It's fair. It's time to pay a living wage."

The proposal calls for companies that have contracts with the city for more than $10,000 to pay their employees $13.40 an hour and $15.40 without health insurance.

Nonprofit organizations would be exempt the first three years, though those where the executive director earns four times the amount of the lowest-paid employee would have to comply.

The issue incites passionate arguments on all sides. Activists have banded together to pressure the City Council to adopt the ordinance. Many of them backed and campaigned for the successful tripling of salaries for council members last year. For now, most of the council members are trying to distance themselves from the debate. They did not respond publicly to the request to put the issue on the agenda.

"In principle, I support a living wage, but the devil is so in the details, and I look forward to having the conversation," Councilwoman Iya Falcone said.

When Councilman Dan Secord saw the group of living wage advocates on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday, he turned around and went the other direction.

Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum is hinting that she is more comfortable letting voters decide.

"I think it is going to need to go to voters, frankly," the mayor said. "I think the decision should be pending voter approval. This is a big issue."

Councilman Brian Barnwell cast his eyes downward and appeared to wrestle with the issue.

"It's really a pay raise," Mr. Barnwell said. "Let's not call it a living wage. Heck, in Santa Barbara, you can't live on $30 an hour, much less $15 an hour."

All of the council members immediately expressed concerns about how such an ordinance would affect nonprofit organizations.

"It's hard for these organizations to raise money," Councilman Roger Horton said. "It's not a simple topic. I just don't think a one-size-fits-all thing will work very well here; that is why I am cautious about it. The other thing I am concerned about is small business."

Only Councilman Das Williams attended the rally, saying he wanted the group to know it had some support at City Hall.

Businesses and the Chamber of Commerce have said that making them pay employees $13.40 an hour will just force them to increase the amount of their contracts with the city. Or in a worst-case scenario, they would have to lay off workers.

More than 10 organized groups are backing the living wage ordinance, including PUEBLO, the Santa Barbara County Action Network and the Democratic Central Committee. The group includes activists from the environmental, Latino, housing and faith-based groups who say low wages have a ripple effect.

"Many of our workers are forced to live outside the area and commute into the city, which causes air pollution and traffic congestion," said Pat Sandall, a board member for the local Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice.

Based on Tuesday's turnout, Mr. Larimore-Hall said he expects the council to adopt the ordinance.

"I can't see how they can say no to us," said Mr. Larimore-Hall, a member of PUEBLO and the Democratic Central Committee. "I can't see how they can turn us away now."