wfn.org | Faith Groups To Campaign to Raise Wages on National, State Levels

["NCC News" <pjenks@ncccusa.org>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE				

CONTACT: Leslie Tune, 202/544-2350, ext. 11

Religious Leaders Announce National Grassroots Campaign to Raises Wages at
the Federal and State Levels  

Senator Kennedy Joins Religious Leaders in Denouncing $5.15 Minimum Wage As
Moral Outrage

Washington, D.C., November 4, 2005--Religious leaders will stand together
with Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and others to condemn the $5.15 minimum
wage and to launch a new national grassroots campaign, "The Let Justice
Roll/Living Wage Campaign." The Campaign will bring the voice of prominent
members of the religious community to the national fight to raise the federal
minimum wage.  In addition -- frustrated with federal inaction -- faith
leaders will announce their commitment to work to pass ballot initiatives to
raise the minimum wage in several states in 2006.

What:	A press conference to announce the launch of a national grassroots
campaign of more than 50 religious and community groups to raise the minimum
wage on the federal and state level. The Campaign will release a sign-on
letter from numerous religious leaders from across the country to Members of
Congress and a new book outlining the ethical and economic underpinnings of
faith-based support for raising the minimum wage. In addition, the Campaign
will announce "Living Wage Days," which is scheduled for Martin Luther King,
Jr. Weekend, January 14-16, 2006. During that weekend, worship services and
rallies will take place around the country to inspire, educate and mobilize
congregations and community organizations to support and act for raising the
minimum wage.

Who:	

Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Senior Pastor of Riverside Church, New York
Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary, National Council Churches USA
Rev. Dr. Paul Sherry, Coordinator, "Let Justice Roll: Faith and Community
Voices Against Poverty" 
Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) confirmed
Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) invited
Holly Sklar, Political analyst and author of "A Just Minimum Wage: Good For
Workers, Business and Our Future"
Kitty Hsu Dana, Associate General Secretary for Advancement, American Friends
Service Committee
A Representative of ACORN--a grassroots leader in the national living wage
movement

When:	Monday, November 7th
	10:30 a.m.

Where:	Room 485, Russell Senate Office Building
	Washington, D.C.

Why:	"A job should keep you out of poverty, not keep you in it," say the
religious leaders, who believe that the current minimum wage of $5.15 is a
moral outrage. By continuing to leave the minimum wage at this level, it
effectively sentences millions of workers and their families to live in
abject poverty. The "Let Justice Roll/Living Wage Campaign" will be working
with churches, synagogues, mosques, Quaker meetings and community groups to
support and advocate for increases in minimum wage on the national and state
level.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information, please contact Leslie Tune at
202/544-2350.