In 2005, DC JWJ convened a broad coalition of labor unions, grassroots community organizations, social service providers and faith leaders to pass a law to ensure a base wage of $11.75 per hour for all direct DC employees, employees of DC contractors, and employees of businesses receiving Tax Increment Financing from the city. At the time it passed, it was expected to raise wages for approximately 4,000 DC workers.

In addition, the campaign provided significant movement building opportunities. During the campaign, DC JWJ and coalition partners held trainings for DC residents about the law and engaged workers in speaking directly to public officials and the media. DC JWJ also engaged more than 50 volunteers from across its base in a canvassing campaign during which they knocked on 500 doors in the NE section of DC, tabled at community festivals, and collected over 2,000 postcards in support of a Working Families Agenda for DC.

Written by Mike Wilson