SEIU Local 199 Supports A Universal Living Wage

Walt Knapper

On April 15, Tax Day, SEIU Local 199 members and staff stood outside the Cedar Rapids Post office to educate people that if employers paid a living wage, the government would not have to spend so much on programs like food stamps and housing assistance. It was part of a nationwide event to promote the idea of a formula for each city of what a living wage would be to ensure that no working American had to pay more than 30 percent of their wages on housing based on the cost of housing in his or her particular city. For instance, in Iowa City to rent an average efficiency apartment, a person would need to make $9.06 per hour. In Des Moines the person would need to earn $9.67 per hour. The minimum wage in Iowa is currently $7.25 per hour.

Although the wind made holding the banners and passing out the flyers a little difficult, the participants were able to give out a great deal of literature to people filing their tax returns at the last minute. “It was well worth the time,” said SEIU Vice President Walt Knapper.