Living Wage Commission
The Living Wage Commission, charged with the duty to implement the City of Buffalo’s new Living Wage Ordinance, began in 2003. Though over 100 cities across the country have Living Wage laws, the City of Buffalo was the first to place enforcement in a citizen commission.
In July 1999, the Buffalo Common Council unanimously passed the original Living Wage ordinance, requiring employers with city contracts over $50,000 to pay their workers at least $8.08 an hour with health insurance, or $9.08 an hour if health insurance is not provided. The Mayor signed the ordinance, and it went into effect July 1, 2000.
The Commission is comprised of single representatives selected by the Mayor, the Common Council, Cornell ILR School, Coalition of Black Trade Unions, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Western New York Area Labor Federation, and the western New York Welfare Monitoring Task Force. The Network of Religions Communities is entitled to select two representatives. The Living Wage Commissioners receive no compensation for serving on the Commission.
Lou Jean Fleron was elected Chair of the Commission, and Reverend Merle Showers was elected Vice-Chair. Pro bono attorneys and interns from the University of Buffalo Law School are supporting the Commission's work.
The Commission takes a proactive approach to compliance, working constructively with city officials to secure the information necessary to assure successful and timely enforcement of the legislation.
