: News
By Cathy Duchamp
Baltimore was the first city in the nation to require businesses with city contracts to pay workers a so-called living wage.
This week efforts are underway to apply that law to Walmart, which wants to open a store in the city.
Matthew Weinstein works for the pro-labor group Progressive Maryland.
The way Weinstein sees it, Walmart has saturated the suburbs, and needs new stores in cities in order to grow: "And they can have a crack at it if they will abide by the community standards that we are fighting for," he says.
This week, Weinstein will lobby the Baltimore Planning Commission to make zoning approval for a retail site contingent on a living-wage agreement.
If Walmart wants to build on the site, it would have to pay workers close to $11 an hour.
Weinstein says that would boost the purchasing power of Baltimore citizens.
Opponents say it will keep new businesses away.
Where's Jimmy Hoffa? Everywhere And Nowhere
FBI agents believe they have a credible lead on the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa's body. If they're right, it will solve a longstanding mystery, which will also deflate Hoffa's resonance in popular culture.The Mystery Of the Ridiculously Pricey Bag Of Potatoes
Did a 10-pound bag of potatoes really cost $15 back in 2008? We get to the bottom of some puzzling numbers in the lawsuit alleging America's potato growers have become a spud cartel.House Passes Bill That Would Ban Abortions After 20 Weeks
The legislation is one of the most far-reaching abortion bills in decades and follows the May murder convictions of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell. The bill, which would ban nearly all abortions starting 20 weeks after fertilization, is unlikely to ever become law.U.S. Automakers Are On A Roll, But Hiring Is Slow And Steady
Profits for the nation's carmakers are on the rise, but after years of doing more with less, higher profits are unlikely to translate into significant numbers of new jobs. There are eight fewer plants and hundreds of thousands fewer workers in the industry than before the Great Recession.Leave a Comment
Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.
-
Inspiration For Change
Metro Connection is looking for personal accounts of how inspiration happens. Tell us your story. more >> -
Deals For Developers
WAMU investigates city subsidies to developers and campaign contributions from the companies. more >> -
Beating The Odds
Beating the Odds is an annual series that features remarkable students seem destined to succeed despite... more >> -
Have A Child With Special Needs?
The Kojo Nnamdi Show is exploring the challenges faced by parents and would like to hear from you. more >> -
Aging and Abuse
With an aging population, elder abuse is expected to increase. We look at the complexities of elder abuse in... more >> -
Half The Battle
Jobs? Relationships? Bills? Why it is so hard for young vets transitioning home. An AU project. more >> -
Volunteer Recognition
The volunteer of the year award and special projects award are given to a WAMU 88.5 volunteer each year for... more >> -
Yesterday's Dropouts
This series examines the struggles adults face after they leave school without a diploma. more >> -
New Bible
Bill Cain isn't just an award-winning playwright; he's also a Jesuit priest. And he brings the two together... more >> -
Public Insight
Share your knowledge and insights about timely issues with journalists from WAMU 88.5 more >> -
In-Kind Donation Program
By providing an in-kind donation, you may be eligible for a tax deduction, without a cash commitment, and... more >> -
Follow Us On Twitter
To get the latest local stories from WAMU 88.5 News, follow us on Twitter. more >>
