Resolution Number: 2003-A130
Title: Support the Establishment of a Living Wage
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, through the Secretary of the Convention, call upon the President of the United States and members of Congress to establish a living wage including health benefits as the standard of compensation for all workers in the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That it is the policy of The Episcopal Church and its dioceses and congregations to provide employees with a living wage including health benefits and be a model for ethical labor practices; and be it further

Resolved, That it is the policy of The Episcopal Church to insist that companies in which the Church invests or with which it contracts provide their employees with a living wage and serve as a model for ethical labor practices; and be it further

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention continue to support living wage campaigns in the cities and counties of every diocese; and be it further

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention strongly affirm the right of workers to organize as protected by federal and state law especially in low wage industries and businesses and including the institutions of every diocese.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, 2003 (New York: General Convention, 2004), p. 341f.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on National Concerns
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #11 on Resolution A130 (Establish Living Wage) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A130)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, through the Secretary of the Convention, call upon the President of the United States and members of Congress to establish a living wage as the standard of compensation for all workers in the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That it is the policy of The Episcopal Church and its dioceses and congregations to provide employees with a living wage and be a model for ethical labor practices; and be it further

Resolved, That it is the policy of The Episcopal Church to insist that companies in which the Church invests or with which it contracts provide their employees with a living wage and serve as a model for ethical labor practices.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, through the Secretary of the Convention, call upon the President of the United States and members of Congress to establish a living wage including health benefits as the standard of compensation for all workers in the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That it is the policy of The Episcopal Church and its dioceses and congregations to provide employees with a living wage and be a model for ethical labor practices; and be it further

Resolved, That it is the policy of The Episcopal Church to insist that companies in which the Church invests or with which it contracts provide their employees with a living wage and serve as a model for ethical labor practices; and be it further

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention continue to support living wage campaigns in the cities and counties of every diocese; and be it further

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention strongly affirm the right of workers to organize as protected by federal and state law especially in low wage industries and businesses and including the institutions of every diocese.

Deputy Robinson of Rochester moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Delete "as protected by federal and state law," in the final resolve clause and add "migrant farm workers."

Deputy Hart of Pennsylvania moved to terminate debate on the Robinson amendment only.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Robinson amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Proposed Amendment:

Deputy Wade of Washington inquired why "including health benefits" had been inserted in the first resolve clause but not in the second resolve clause after "a living wage".

Hearing no objection, the President ordered such an amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Deputy Renton of California moved to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution A130 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #87)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #27 on HD Message #87 on Resolution A130 (Establish Living Wage) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #266)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, August 8.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on National Concerns, Reports to the 74th General Convention, 2003, pp. 252-262.
Abstract:   The 74th General Convention calls upon the President and Congress to establish a living wage with health benefits as the standard of compensation for all workers.