2006年VOA标准英语-Chicago Passes "Living Wage" Law

By George Dwyer
Washington, D.C.
31 July 2006
 
watch Living Wage report

Lawmakers in the Midwest U.S. city of Chicago have approved a measure requiring large-scale discount stores to pay their employees a so-called "living wage." As VOA's George Dwyer reports, the new law could inspire other cities to adopt similar legislation.

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Wages have not kept pace with the cost of living for workers at large discount retailer², such as this Wal-Mart cashier   
  
The City Council of Chicago has voted to require large retail¹ stores -- also known as "big box" stores -- to pay their employees a minimum wage of $10 an hour, and an additional $3 in employment benefits, by the year 2010. "Big box" stores are defined as those having at least 8300 square meters in floor space, and earning at least $1 billion in revenue annually³. Labor⁴ advocates have argued for years that the starting wages paid by "big box" retailers⁵ has not kept pace with the rising cost of living.

Chicago Alderman [city legislator] Joe Moore voted in support of the measure.  "Let's make sure that when these big stores open in our neighborhood, they help our people, not exploit them."

Mayor Richard Daley   
  
But Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and a variety of local business leaders fought against the bill, arguing it could discourage "big box" operators from setting up shop in the city.

"I lose a lot of sales tax money and real estate tax money, and jobs. It's [as] simple as that,” said Mr. Daley.

The mayor also expressed concern that the city could lose jobs in areas where they are badly needed, including many African-American communities. Wal-Mart's first and only store in Chicago -- now under construction -- may be its last as a result of this vote. The firm said this week it will now look for alternative locations outside of the city. But the bill's opponents are not yet giving up the fight, threatening to bring a lawsuit⁶ to get the living wage ordinance⁷ thrown-out. 

 
Target and other large retailers are subject to the city's new legislation 
  
Chicago businessman Gerald Roeper said, "We're going to have to tear down the sign these alderman just put up that says, 'Chicago is closed for business'."

Nineteen Chicago-area firms, including retail giants such as Wal-Mart and Target, are subject to the wage changes. The U.S. Congress is currently considering a boost in the federal minimum wage of $5.15 an hour. That figure has not been raised since 1997. Boosting it would increase the wages of some 14 million Americans.

1 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

2 retailer   

n.零售商(人)

参考例句：

• What are the retailer requirements?零售商会有哪些要求呢？
• The retailer has assembled a team in Shanghai to examine the question.这家零售商在上海组建了一支团队研究这个问题。

3 annually   

adv.一年一次，每年

参考例句：

• Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。
• They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。

4 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

5 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

6 lawsuit   

n.诉讼，控诉

参考例句：

• They threatened him with a lawsuit.他们以诉讼威逼他。
• He was perpetually involving himself in this long lawsuit.他使自己无休止地卷入这场长时间的诉讼。

7 ordinance   

n.法令；条令；条例

参考例句：

• The Ordinance of 1785 provided the first land grants for educational purposes.1785年法案为教育目的提供了第一批土地。
• The city passed an ordinance compelling all outdoor lighting to be switched off at 9.00 PM.该市通过一条法令强令晚上九点关闭一切室外照明。