This session of the Tennessee Legislature, like last year's, is shaping up to be a rough one for workers. From attempts to repeal our local living wage laws to attacks on the rights of union members, your action will be needed. Sign up now for WIN's brand new email list, focused on quick actions you can take on particular state legislature bills. Even if you already receive general WIN emails, please also sign up for this new list.

Join other workers, community members, and people of faith who care about the rights of Tennessee's workers in lobbying our state legislators. From bad bills that take away workers' living wages to positive bills that ensure fair pay for public employees, there are many decisions that will be made in Nashville this year that affect workers throughout our state.

    During Lobby Day, you'll receive training on how to talk to your legislators about particular bills. You'll also have the chance to participate in a noon rally at the legislature.

How to register: An online registration form is available at http://livingwagelobbyday.eventbrite.com  

Note: You must register by Thursday, March 1st in order to participate. Questions about Lobby Day? Contact Zach Ferguson at (901) 332-3570.

"Sure, it's good to have a job, but you need a paying job!" says University of Memphis custodian Thelma Jean Rimmer. Many service workers at the University, including Ms. Rimmer, earn far below a living wage of $11.62 an hour, forcing them to make tough decisions about which bills to pay.

In July, a year long outcry from workers, students, and community supporters like you prompted the University to raise workers' pay for the first time in four years. Many full-time workers also received a one-time $1,000 bonus payment at the end of October.

But much more needs to be done. This budget year, the University of Memphis should take the next step toward a living wage by raising workers' pay by at least $1 per hour. The U. of M. should also follow in the footsteps of the University of Tennessee, which raised the base pay for all their positions to at least $8.50 an hour.

University of Memphis workers need your help to win a living wage. We are currently collecting thousands of petition signatures to University of Memphis President Dr. Shirley Raines in support of the living wage.

You can help in two ways:

1) Sign the electronic petition at change.org. Post the petition to your Facebook profile or Twitter feed to encourage your friends to sign as well.

2) Collect printed petitions from your friends, at your congregation, at your union hall, or in your community group. To receive a packet of 10 or more petition cards, contact Zach Ferguson at (901) 332-3570.