Fair World Project to Hold “Let’s Talk Living Wage” Panel Discussion at Expo West

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15th, 2016	CONTACT:    Lauren Stansbury, 402-540-1208    Email: [email protected]    Kerstin Lindgren, 617-680-9862    Email: [email protected]

PORTLAND, OR – Leading Fair Trade advocacy organization, Fair World Project (FWP), has joined with Dr. Bronner’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Cambridge Naturals, The Fairness Project, and Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, to hold a panel discussion at Natural Products Expo West, “Let’s Talk Living Wage.” Leaders from these progressive businesses and organizations will discuss why it is imperative to support campaigns to raise the minimum wage, explain how successful businesses benefit from paying higher wages to their workers, and the importance of the Natural Products Industry joining the movement to guarantee a fair, living wage.

Members of the media are invited to RSVP to [email protected]

PANELISTS:

David Bronner, Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO), Dr. Bronner’s will discuss why Dr.Bronner’s has become involved in both local and federal campaigns to raise the wage and how this relates to their fair trade work throughout their supply chains.

Michael Kanter, Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Cambridge Naturals will address the importance of raising the minimum wage from a small business perspective. He will speak about how doing so can benefit both employees and the general success of a business.

Rob Michalak, Global Director of Social Mission, Ben & Jerry’s will discuss Ben & Jerry’sinternal work to calculate a livable wage for all employees, how it works, and what effect paying higher wages has had, in addition to why the company chose to get involved with advocacy for all businesses to support raising the minimum wage.

Ryan Johnson, Executive Director, The Fairness Project will describe the obstacles to action at the federal level, and share highlights from local and state campaigns around the country.

Holly Sklar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Business for a Fair Minimum Wage will discuss the case for why raising the minimum wage is good for business and will share information on how to get involved in a national network of businesses advocating for fair minimum
wages.

Kerstin Lindgren, Campaign Director, Fair World Project, will moderate the discussion.

“Dr. Bronner’s is committed to fairness throughout our supply chain, and that also applies to our employees here at home,” said David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s. “Paying workers less-than a living wage creates a corporate welfare system in which public funds supplement unlivable low wages. It’s time to fight for a living wage, and in doing so raise the standard for businesses’ responsibility toward their employees.”

“The increasing inequality in the United States is immoral and damaging the country’s economy and society. By paying better wages, businesses can help lift millions out of poverty, improve the prospects of millions of children and contribute to economic growth, which serves us all well,” said Rob Michalak, Global Director of Social mission with Ben & Jerry’s.

“Low wage workers are disproportionately women and people of color,” said Kerstin Lindgren, Campaign Director of Fair World Project. “Raising the minimum wage mitigates some of the structural discrimination these demographics face, as we work toward lasting equality at all levels of society.”

According to polls, the majority of small businesses and hiring managers support raising the minimum wage. Two federal minimum wage bills have been introduced in Congress: S.1150, the Raise the Wage Act, that would raise the federal minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020; and S.1832, the Pay Workers a Living Wage Act, which would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020. Raising the minimum wage has been shown to boost businesses and the economy by putting more money in the hands of consumers who most need it and are most likely to spend it. Other business benefits include lower employee turnover, reduced hiring and training costs, increased productivity and better customer service. Yet despite these benefits, widespread support among consumers and businesses, and numerous wage victories at the state and local level, the federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 – just $15,080 annually for full-time workers – since 2009. The Let’s Talk Living Wage panel and discussion will strengthen the Natural Product Industry’s engagement in this important movement to build economically and socially sustainable businesses.