UUA Policy
Unitarian Universalists have been involved in supporting a fair minimum wage since the year of our inception in 1961, when we passed a resolution in support of an agricultural minimum wage for migrant workers. Ours has been a sustained commitment; the 1961 resolution was followed by over three dozen social justice statements in support of economic justice. Below are excerpts from those statements which have specifically addressed fair wages or minimum wage.
General Resolutions
Raise the Federal Minimum Wage to $10 in 2010
2008 Action of Immediate Witness
Excerpt: "...Therefore, be it resolved: The 2008 General Assembly supports the Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign urging the 111th Congress in 2009 to raise the federal minimum wage to $10 by 2010. We urge all Unitarian Universalist congregations and individuals to participate by
- educating themselves about poverty and requirements for a minimum standard of living;
- holding Let Justice Roll rallies, workshops and worship services on the weekend of January 9-11, 2009;
- signing the $10 by 2010 Faith Leaders Letter to Congress;
- participating in other Let Justice Roll activities; and
- advocating with low wage workers.
Working for a Just Economic
Community
1997 General Resolution
Excerpt: "...Therefore be it resolved that the Unitarian Universalist Association urges its member congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists in the United States ...to work specifically in favor of mechanisms such as a true single minimum wage, applicable to all workers, that provides an adequate standard of living ..."
A Job, A Home, A Hope
1995 General
Resolution
Excerpt: "...The Unitarian Universalist Association urges its member congregations and individual Unitarian Universalists to work in coalition with community activists to ensure that every member of our society has the opportunity for:
- A job: creation of more jobs paying living wages and more effective job-training programs ..."
Poverty and Unemployment
1985 General
Resolution
Excerpt: ".... Be it further resolved that this Assembly endorses the principle that every person has an inherent and moral right to work at a meaningful wage, food, clothing and shelter."
Poor People’s Campaign
1968 General
Resolution
Excerpt: "The seventh General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association ...endorses the following legislative goals..."
- Meaningful jobs at adequate pay scales in both public and private sectors for the unemployed and the under-employed, with the government to be employer of last resort, and effective enforcement of anti-discrimination statutes
- A system of income maintenance, including a guaranteed minimum income for all ..."
Statements of Conscience
Economic Injustice, Poverty, and Racism: We
Can Make a Difference!
2000 Statement of Conscience
Excerpt: "...Our work for economic justice must include support for fair wages and benefits..."
Last updated on Tuesday, August 12, 2008.
