Pay local workers better

To the Editor,

The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is kept afloat – economically and socially – by the casual workers who come into town every single day to serve the community. Many of the casual workers are paid by the hour, at a wage that is probably barely above the minimum wage in Pennsylvania, if that, and do not receive health care benefits. It is also worth noting that many casual workers are women, minorities, and/or people who are in transitional phases in their lives — and many cannot afford to live in the district.

While we are in a pandemic, we have the chance to reconsider what the community can do to support the workers who keep the district and its businesses operational. What can district municipalities do to reduce income (and possibly gender and racial) inequality and lack of access to critical services, such as healthcare?

Perhaps local governments, Swarthmore College, and the small businesses in Wallingford and Swarthmore could adopt a voluntary scheme to encourage local business – including establishments that serve coffee, sell clothes, etc. – to offer their workers a minimum wage of $15 per hour (at least) and to contribute to their workers’ healthcare costs. I do not think a mandatory minimum wage could be imposed, but perhaps a voluntary scheme could be implemented that would include all local traders, the college, and other service providers.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Parisa Zangeneh
Galway, Ireland
(formerly of Wallingford)