Date: March 31, 2004

César Chávez legacy influences water district’s
living wage policy

SAN JOSE — In support of its longstanding policy of providing a safe, healthy and enhanced quality of living in Santa Clara County, the Santa Clara Valley Water District board of directors is making sure contract workers are adequately compensated while employed under the district.

A living wage policy ensures contract employees are paid a wage that affords them health insurance, if not already provided, and reasonable time off.

“Enhancing quality of life for workers was something César Chávez fought to achieve and it is something the district believes in,” said district chairman of the board Joe Judge.

“Good treatment from labor contractors, and insurance for accidents is only fair.”

According to Judge, inadequate compensation for contract employees in Santa Clara County’s private and public sectors has forced many workers to live in poverty or to struggle with multiple jobs in order to make ends meet.

“Many labor unions and community organizations support living wage policies for the benefit and welfare of local citizens,” Judge said.

César Estrada Chávez was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 for his efforts to get better pay and better working conditions for migrant workers.

"The farm workers who labored in the fields and yearned for respect and self-­sufficiency pinned their hopes on this remarkable man who, with faith and discipline, soft spoken humility and amazing inner strength, led a very courageous life," former President Bill Clinton said during the 1994 award ceremony honoring Chávez.

The water district policy will provide a living wage of $10.31 per hour if health benefits are included and $11.56 per hour if benefits are not provided.

“Because all employees are important and unique, they will be treated with respect, dignity and fairness,” Judge said.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District manages Santa Clara County's wholesale drinking water resources, coordinates flood protection for its 1.7 million residents and provides stewardship for the county's 10 reservoirs and more than 800 miles of streams.