PA City Defies Court Order; Reduces Police Officers, Firefighters’ Pay To Minimum Wage

cognitivedissonance:

You have to read it to believe it. Scranton, Penn. claims to be broke and has lowered the pay of all city workers to $7.25. That means firefighters and police officers risking their lives for the citizens of Scranton will do so for $7.25/hr. 

It’s insulting and disgusting to think that’s even close to a fair wage. It is impossible to live on minimum wage. That’s $290 a week, about $1,160 a month, and $15,080 a year — before taxes, and for a forty hour work week. Here’s the kicker:

Congressional Republicans repeatedly blocked efforts to extend aid to the states that would have helped shore up their budgets and keep these workers on payroll.

Take a bow, GOP, and ask yourselves: Do you want that police officer responding to your emergency call or the firefighter rushing into your burning house wondering if it’s worth it for $7.25/hr? 

I sure as hell wouldn’t.

Tags: Pennsylvania Police Labor Organized labor politics economy firefighters minimum wage living wage Scranton Inequality GOP public sector public employees