The wages of many government workers are determined by the prevailing wage of people in the area doing similar work. The newly-active AFGE insisted that the survey of other hospitals be done correctly. The result was a bigger pay check for many workers.

Workers got their pay raises after the hospital administration got wind of Local 2547 plans to hold pickets and to line up Veterans groups behind their demands gave raises.

“It's a great victory,” said union steward Pat Kearns.

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The campaign has been endorsed by all the trade unions in Johnson County and has received support from many churches.

“I think it's a crime that we put public money into the pockets of a contractor and then they don't even pay a living wage to their employees,” said Pat Kearns, a steward with American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2547.

Employers have objected to paying a living wage on the grounds that they cannot afford it. If passed, the measure would mandate pay in the $9.00 to $11.00 range.

Responding to the employers claims, Kearns stated, “It might cut into their yachting expenses.”

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