Strive for $15

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald

CHASKA, Minn. — All entities of the Episcopal Church should strive to pay their employees a minimum wage of $15 per hour, according to a resolution passed June 10 by the governing board of the Episcopal Church.

The council’s measure was part of a broader resolution encouraging the adoption of $15 federal minimum wage.

“All expressions and organizations of The Episcopal Church should lead by example and strive to ensure all of its employees earn a minimum of $15.00 an hour,” the resolution said.

The resolution initially said all Episcopal organizations should ensure that the $15 wage is paid to their employees, but the words “strive to” were added in an amendment after Episcopal Church Treasurer Kurt Barnes expressed concern.

The resolution touched off a brief floor debate. The Rev. Marion Luckey cautioned that a mandatory federal minimum could have a negative impact on rural economies. The Rev. Dr. Stan Runnels said it was a justice issue that would advance after long delay the vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.