Petition 

Dear President Beirne:

We the undersigned respectfully request that Le Moyne College adopt a fair/living wage for all of its employees, both those directly employed by the College and those employed through subcontracts with service providers.

We agree with the principle that the economy exists to meet the needs of the people and to enhance the dignity of the human person. That is why we think the starting-point for the discussion of wages at Le Moyne College is not the legal minimum wage set by the government or the prevailing industry wage as determined by competition, but a sustainable living wage that provides for human dignity, basic needs and meaningful participation in the life of the community. To this end, the discussion regarding the lowest Le Moyne wage for direct and contracted employees should focus on the actual costs of living in this area. (The Fiscal Policy Institute’s Self-Sufficiency standards for Onondaga County should be used to index this wage to changes in the cost of living in our area).

Le Moyne's mission statement says clearly the kind of institution it hopes to be: "Le Moyne College prepares its members as persons and professionals for leadership and service in the creation of a more just society."  In many ways, Le Moyne exemplifies the virtues of service and justice within its own communal and institutional life.  We believe that by adopting a fair/living wage so that no Le Moyne employee will have to live in poverty, Le Moyne College will go a step further to embody justice by treating all employees with respect and dignity.  

We understand that changing our wage policies based on these principles will have costs but we feel that adequately compensating our staff for their efforts should be a priority in the college budget. More importantly, we believe that through its commitment to economic justice, Le Moyne College will serve as a model for other academic institutions and employers in the area and beyond.