From this weeks Philadelphia City Paper

Donald Lindsey can't afford to get sick. His pay as a security guard at the Philadelphia Museum of Art — a little over $10 an hour — is hardly enough for him to provide for his four kids. And he gets no sick leave.

A Special Message from Bishop Dwayne Royster, Chairman of the Interfaith Committee of Jobs with Justice

Dear Friend in Faith,

Philadelphia is working city. Our city’s respect for working people has been expressed in legislation. A few years ago, then Mayor Street signed one of the most progressive living-wage ordinances into law. The new law stated that any city-supported business had to pay their workers at least 150% of the state or federal minimum wage (which ever was higher) and had to give all full-time workers benefits equal to other full-time employees. This law included sub-contractors. In April, Mayor Nutter reaffirmed our moral values on this matter by enhancing this legislation.

Philadelphia loves the museum. It is one of the institution of which we are most proud. Many times a year the museum serves as backdrop for most events of import such as the Welcome America Celebration and Live 8. We smile when we see tourists jog up its wide stairs, arms raised in the air, and beam when it houses world renowned exhibits such as the Salvador Daly show or the upcoming Cézanne exhibit. Tax payers have expressed our support for the Philadelphia Museum of Art by contributing more than $10 million in contributions from the City of Philadelphia as well as millions in donated city facilities in the last decade. The way that security guards that protect some our city’s priceless treasurers are treated, however, pits our moral values against our pride for this institution.

The museum spends $3.7 million on security each year. Tax payers contribute between $2.5 and $3 million to the museum each year.

Despite our support for the museum, the guards at the museum earn only $10.13 per hour (the living wage states that they should earn $10.67) and they get no paid sick days at all. It is time that the museum leaders live up to the moral values of the rest of the city and the more than 2,000 supporters who will be praying for this change from more than 20 churches this Labor Day weekend. Likewise, City Council should withhold funding from the Philadelphia Museum of Art until it meets our workers rights standards.

An old Methodist Hymn says “Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong. Not afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich. Show me where love and hope and faith are needed, and use me to bring them to those places.”

On September 7, we are asking supporters who are not afraid to come to this place of need, the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Come and visit the museum and wear a sticker that you can get from one of our volunteers that states “My Security Guard Deserves Paid Sick Days.” After seeing the art, stick around for our “Blessing of the Hands” ceremony in front of the museum at 4 p.m.

Sincerely,

Bishop Dwayne Royster,
Living Water UCC