D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson says he’ll finally send the Large Retailer Accountability Act—-otherwise known as the Walmart bill—-to Mayor Vince Gray for a signature or veto on Friday. If Mendelson does send it Friday, it’ll be transmitted 51 days after the D.C. Council passed it.
Meanwhile, Walmart isn’t the only side of the debate that’s taking to the phones. The AFL-CIO is running an automated voice message from Living Faith Baptist Church pastor Edwin L. Jones that urges listeners to tell Gray to sign the bill.
“Walmart has threatened to cancel plans for two stores in Ward 7 if the bill passed,” Jones says in the call, available below. “But D.C. will not be bullied into poverty jobs.”
The full call:
This is Reverend Edwin L. Jones, senior of Living Faith Baptist Church in Ward 7 calling on behalf of the AFL-CIO. The large retailer accountability act which will require large retailers to pay a living wage is going to be transmitted to the mayor’s office any day now. Walmart has threatened to cancel plans for two stores in Ward 7 if the bill passed. But D.C. will not be bullied into poverty jobs. We must stand together for economic justice and resist corporate pulling. At the end of this call press one to be connected to Mayor Gray’s office and tell him to sign the Large Retailer Accountability Act.
[audio:http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/looselips/files/2013/08/MENU1650.mp3|titles=AFL-CIO Call]
Audio courtesy AFL-CIO
Photo by Darrow Montgomery