A Living Wage
Panel Will Tackle Issue In Forum Oct. 25 at Saint Charles Parish

OKLAHOMA CITY  — A panel representing the business, academic, labor, and religious communities will respond to questions from area clergy and the general public in a discussion of how to address the fact that thousands of Oklahomans are living in poverty while working full-time.

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City’s Comm-ission for Justice and Human Development (CJHD) and the Oklahoma City Community Forum will co-host the event at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 25 at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, NW 50th and Grove.

The goal of these forums is to increase awareness of the plight of Oklahoma’s working poor and to look at living wages as a possible solution.   —  A living wage is the wage or salary that workers must earn to meet their families’ most basic needs without having to rely on public or private assistance.

“Our rich heritage of Catholic social teaching calls us as Catholic Christians to work for social justice for all persons, especially those who are most vulnerable in our society,” said Sister Diane Koorie, RSM. Sister Diane serves as chairman of the CJHD.  She said discussion and education about this issue is vital if true progress is to be achieved.

Minimum wage standards have failed to keep up with the cost of living for working families in America.  Most researchers agree that the “poverty line” income is not sufficient to support most working families.  In fact, many of Oklahoma’s families are headed by adults who must work two full-time jobs and still find it impossible to make ends meet.  

This has led experts at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) to develop the “basic family budget” as a realistic measure of the income required to have a safe and decent standard of living.  The basic family budget calculates the income required to feed, shelter, clothe, get to work and school and subsist in the 21st century.  This does not include savings, restaurant meals, funds for emergencies,  renter’s insurance or any “frills” -  just the minimum basics.

The event is open to the public.  Those interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register by calling Pam Maisano at (405) 691 - 3304,  all are welcome and pre-registration is not necessary to attend.