ARGUMENT AGAINST
SANTA MONICA LIVING WAGE CHARTER AMENDMENT

Proposition KK is NOT a living wage measure, and it is unfair to workers.

THIS INITIATIVE WAS WRITTEN AND FINANCED BY SANTA MONICA'S LUXURY BEACH HOTELS.  It excludes these hotels from ever having to pay a living wage to their workers.

Proposition KK would make Santa Monica the only city in California to grant such an exclusion to hotels.

PROPOSITION KK DELIBERATELY LEAVES OUT THOUSANDS OF HOTEL MAIDS, JANITORS AND KITCHEN WORKERS.

WORSE, IT PERMANENTLY PREVENTS THE CITY COUNCIL FROM EVER RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE AND BENEFITS OF OUR NEEDIEST WORKERS.

This is why the L.A. Times headline on August 3 read: "Anti-Living Wage Measure Is Put on Santa Monica Ballot."

The Times reported, "A group organized by the city's luxury beach hotels spent more than $400,000...to qualify the measure."

EXEMPTION FOR HOTEL OWNERS, POVERTY FOR HOTEL WORKERS.

We ask you to consider these facts:

1.  Proposition KK would affect less than 250 workers employed for contractors doing business
     with City government.

2.  It deliberately excludes the maids, janitors and kitchen workers at the luxury hotels that are
     sponsoring Proposition KK.

3.  Proposition KK is the only living wage law in the country financed by a big business special
     interest.

4.  Proposition KK is the only living wage law in the country that would permanently bar local
     government from raising the minimum wage of workers.

Proposition KK is fundamentally unfair.  IT IS AN ATTEMPT BY BIG BUSINESS TO DENY MAIDS, JANITORS AND KITCHEN WORKERS IN SANTA MONICA A LIVING WAGE.

Ralph Nader says:  "The citizens of Santa Monica will see a 'lying wage' initiative on their ballots this November 7--courtesy of big business interests who hope to deprive workers of a true living wage."

Don't be fooled.  Vote NO on Proposition KK.

Juanita Parra, Hotel Room Attendant and First Vice President of Hotel Employees and
                          Restaurant Employees Local 814
Dennis Zane, Co-Chair, Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR)
Annette Shamey, Com. College Trustee/Santa Monica Educator
Fred Deni, Owner, Back on Broadway/Back on the Beach
Ken Genser, Mayor

Rebuttal

Impartial Analysis

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This page was last modified on 01/23/2008