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Home > City Services > City of Buffalo Living Wage Commission

City of Buffalo Living Wage Commission

The Living Wage Commission is a volunteer organization that was formed in 2003 to evaluate, monitor, and enforce the City of Buffalo’s Living Wage Ordinance.

The Living Wage Ordinance was unanimously passed by the Buffalo Common Council in 1999 and amended in 2002 and 2007.  The Ordinance applies to all City of Buffalo employees as well as to all employees of contractors with City contracts worth more than $50,000 and who employ more than 10 people.

The 2008 living wage is $9.90 with health benefits and $11.11 without health benefits. On January1, 2009 the living wage rate will increase to $10.31 with health benefits and $11.57 with benefits.  The living wage rate is adjusted for inflation by an annual cost of living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index. 

The Living Wage Commission has the power to investigate and address grievances, recommend sanctions, and review exemptions.  The Commission is made up of nine voting members and obtains the counsel of pro bono attorneys:
 
Commission Chair Lou Jean Fleron - Cornell University
James Anderson - Network of Religious Communities
Joseph Carriero - Common Council
Robert Hellwitz - WNY Area Labor Federation
William O’Connell - Homeless Alliance
Tanya Perrin-Johnson - Office of the Mayor
Merle Showers - Network of Religious Communities
Craig Turner - Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Pamela Watson - Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

Counsel Stephen Halpern and Sam Magavern

The Living Wage Commission and its mission are supported by Cornell University ILR School, University at Buffalo Law School, and the Coalition for Economic Justice. Support staff, office space, student interns and a variety of other resources are provided by these organizations.

You can reach the Living Wage Commission at:
 
Phone: 716-852-4191
Address: Cornell University ILR School, 237 Main St., Suite 1200, Buffalo, NY 14203

 

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