On the recordMay 9, 2013
Yesterday low-income workers in Federal buildings held an impressive rally and press conference at Union Station. They serve the public and the Federal Government under contracts in Federal buildings nationwide, like the Ronald Reagan Building, often without benefits and a living wage. Despite their hard work, their employers, who are Federal contractors, off-load the cost of benefits they should provide, such as health care, onto the taxpayers. It is a zero-sum game. These working poor do not earn enough to live on, and taxpayers often pick up the tab with food stamps and health care that employers who pay a decent wage shoulder themselves. This is why we need administrative action to ensure that retail and commercial vendors who enjoy the prestige of contracts with the Federal Government at sites like the Smithsonian offer decent pay with benefits, putting everybody ahead--yes, the workers, but also the taxpayers and the economy alike. ____________________
