http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/PMALaborDay

20 CONGREGATIONS PRAY FOR SICK-PAY AT PMA- Labor Faithful Press Museum From The Pews

Philadelphia, PA, August 31, 2008- 130 security guards have the important job of taking care of the visitors and collections at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Activists and thousands of supporters this weekend will pray that these guards will soon be treated as well as other city subcontracted workers under the Living Wage Ordinance.

The Living Wage Ordinance which was signed by Mayor Michael Nutter in April 2008 states that city-supported businesses and sub-contractors must pay employees $10.67 per hour and benefits. The security officers at the Philadelphia Museum are paid $10.16 per hour. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, though it receives $2.5 million from the City of Philadelphia, roughly two-thirds of what the museum spends on security, the resources are considered a general contribution.

“Twice as many churches are praying for the guards this year,” Said Bishop Dwayne Royster, the Pastor of Living Water United Church of Christ and leader in Jobs with Justice the community group that coordinates the campaign.

The Jobs with Justice campaign to improve worker standards in the security industry has had a string of recent victories including winning raises at the University of Pennsylvania and paid sick-leave for guards at U Penn and Temple University.

The prayer events, which will culminate in a rally and “Blessing of the Hands” ceremony in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 4 pm on September 7, 2008 are the latest in a series of activist events aimed to pressure the museum into improving wages and benefits for guards.

“The museum doesn’t make sure that the guards pay and benefits meet the standard set by the Philadelphia Living Wage Ordinance. This violates the moral values of tax payers.” States Ronald, a security guard from the museum.

For More information on the “Labor in the Pulpits” service contact Fabricio at 215-670-5855 or visit http://phillyjwj.blogspot.com/

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