Federal contractors rallied in the nation’s capital Tuesday to increase the minimum wage and their benefits.
The rally, which was held at Columbus Circle in front of Union Station in Washington, D.C., included low-wage workers, members of Congress and religious leaders., along with those who wanted to show support for the federal contractors.
“Congressional Progressive Caucus members – along with national faith leaders like Sister Simone Campbell – will stand in support of striking low-wage federal contract workers who will say that the President’s recent $10.10 Executive Order isn’t enough to lift them into the middle class,” explained a press release by Good Jobs Nation.
Additionally, many of the federal workers at the rally walked off their jobs to protest their wages and benefits.
An additional press release by Good Jobs Nation explained, “Today hundreds of low-wage federal contract workers from landmark federal buildings in our nation’s capital walked off their jobs saying the President’s recent $10.10 Executive Order is not enough to afford the American Dream.”
According to a fact sheet by the White House, the recent executive order to raise the minimum wage for new federal contractors “will cover workers who are performing services or construction and are getting paid less than $10.10 an hour. Some examples of the hardworking people who would benefit from an EO include military base workers who wash dishes, serve food and do laundry.”
Paco Fabian, spokesman for Good Jobs Nation, explained to The Daily Caller News Foundation, “$10.10 is not enough.”
Beyond the grievance for pay and benefits, Fabian stated concern over those companies that break labor laws and regulations but still get federal contracts.
“We need the federal government to guarantee contracts don’t go to companies that break the law,” he said.
Fabian claims, “Some of the largest federal contracts go to companies that break the law.” He cited wage, hour and health safety laws as those which are violated.
Rally attendee Shirley Anderson told TheDCNF that the reason she was there was because she “used to be a low wage” worker too.
“I hope they do hear the message,” Anderson continued.
“I believe in America and believe in Americans,” explained David King, another participant.
Diana Furchtgott-Roth, the director of Economics21 and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, told TheDCNF that the president’s minimum wage executive order for new federal contractors was “just symbolic.”
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