Dec. 27, 2005

Corbin & Majority approve a ‘living wage’ law to ensure workers earn above federal minimum

Nassau County Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury) and the majority members this week approved a “living wage” law that will increase wages for workers contracted by the county to $9.50, starting in 2007. Increases will follow in 2008 to $10.50 an hour and rising up to $12.50 an hour in 2010. Supporters of the law included many labor groups representing home health care workers, and the Long Island Progressive Coalition.

"If Nassau County hopes to be economically viable and attract people to work and live here, then we must make it feasible for working people to do so,” said Legislator Corbin. “Let’s face it, no one can live on Long Island earning only minimum wage. The Living Wage law will enable working Nassau  County residents to not merely subsist, but to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.”

“In a $2.6 billion county budget, we can find the dollars to pay for this,” added Legislator Corbin. “Nassau will be joining New York City, Suffolk and Westchester counties and numerous other municipalities in the country who all have a living wage law.”

The law will require any county contractor who furnishes services to the county in excess of $25,000 to pay a “living wage.”  

“The Long Island Progressive Coalition is thrilled that the living wage bill passed unanimously,” said Lisa Tyson, Executive Director. “It was clear working on this legislation that each and every legislator cared deeply for those working families who have to struggle to put food on the table. What this bill says is that Nassau County respects workers and they have a right to a living wage. We especially would like to thank Judy Jacobs for her leadership on this issue”.