Majority of Providence Voters Support Hotel Worker Minimum Wage
Thursday, May 29, 2014
64 percent of Providence voters support the $15 minimum wage for hotel workers, according to Suffolk University pollster David Paleologos.
Summary of poll data
The pollsters' executive summary is below:
1. That initial support is 66% and drops to 64% once four pro and con statements are read. The net change of 66% to 64% is within the margin of error.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST2. Support was broad-based in all neighborhoods of Providence including 57% in the Mt. Pleasant/Elmhurst area, 58% in the East Side, 66% in the No. End, Silver Lake, and Smith Hill areas, 69% in Federal Hill, and 73% in the South Providence/Washington Park areas.
3. Most convincing reason to support (41%) is that it levels the playing field given that the Omni and Biltmore already pay $15 per hour for comparable work.
4. Among those who felt the minimum wage issue would make a difference in the governor’s race and mayor’s race, the issue could be impactful; by a 3-1 margin voters said they would be less likely to vote for Angel Taveras (for Governor) and Michael Solomon (for Mayor) if they opposed it.
Providence supports working women
Santa Brito, a housekeeper at the Providence Renaissance said, “The poll shows that Providence voters support working women. Our elected leaders now have the opportunity to listen to the voters and to raise working women."
The poll was performed by DAPA Research, Inc. (DAPA). DAPA is a full service marketing and political research company based in Massachusetts with expertise in the practical application of public opinion dynamics. DAPA’s CEO is CEO David Paleologos, Director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, one of the premier national research centers.
This poll is being released as the Providence City Council considers whether or not to pass an ordinance calling for the same. The Committee on Ordinances will discuss in their meeting at 6:30 p.m, two days after its May 27 public hearing on the proposed ballot initiative submitted by signatures of over 1,000 Providence voters to create a $15/hr. minimum wage for hotel workers.
According to the City Charter, the Council has 70 days to consider the proposed ordinance. The hearing was before a packed audience, the majority of which were women.
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