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Living wage advocates lose effort in Medford Despite the pleas of more than 80 sign-wearing advocates for adoption of a living wage ordinance, the Medford City Council voted Thursday not to grant the group a public hearing. Voting 5 to 2, council members said the proposal would affect too few city-contracted employees to warrant further discussion. "I think that the city is the wrong forum," said Councilman Bob Strosser. Supporters of the ordinance that would require the city and its contractors to pay workers $10.75 an hour spoke for 45 minutes during the public comment period of Thursday night's council meeting. "If cities across our country have been able to successfully pass a living wage and help workers to get decent living-wage jobs, then our city of Medford should at least be able to hold a hearing to hear from the public on this critical issue," said Chris Lachner, who co-chairs the Portland-based Oregon Action. But a majority of council members agreed with a city staff report that the ordinance is too narrowly written. A city study showed that all but four permanent city employees made more than $10.75 an hour in wages and benefits and those would have pay increases when their probationary periods ended. Some temporary city employees earn less than $10.75. A lifeguard's starting pay is $6.93, for example, and contract workers, such as landscapers employed by Living Opportunities, also make less. The living wage ordinance also would affect city contracts with nonprofit agencies such as Community Works and the Center for Nonprofit Legal Services, likely forcing some $13,000 in extra expenses, said Strosser, quoting a staff report. Oregon Action has led successful living wage campaigns in several Oregon cities, including Ashland. Councilman Jim Key advocated for a public hearing and for the ordinance. "If we change wages for one person, then I think we have done a service that was invaluable," he said. Voting for a public hearing on the issue were Key and Bill Moore. The votes against were from Sal Esquivel, Ed Chun, Claudette Moore, Skip Knight and Strosser. Living wage supporters, many visibly disappointed, left quickly after the discussion. The Medford Chamber of Commerce opposed the living wage ordinance, noting the state minimum wage law that already exists. Chamber president Brad Hicks said during earlier discussions that the market, not the government, should dictate wage increases. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.