Living wages, other labor law issues focus law school conference
May 31st, 2007
Former Baltimore Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke will discuss the impact and proliferation of living wage laws during a conference sponsored by University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law to be held June 21-22 at the Seelbach Hilton.
Schmoke, dean of the Howard University School of Law, was mayor when Baltimore passed the nation’s first living wage laws in December 1994. Since then, living wage laws have been passed in more than 100 municipalities nationwide. These laws require certain businesses — typically those that have contracts with local government — to pay more than the federal minimum wage as part of an effort to improve quality of life and living standards for the working poor.
Schmoke will describe the effect of the living wage law on Baltimore’s employment rates and living standards and how the city overcame initial opposition to the law. He also will address federal living wage legislation proposed by U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd.
This year’s conference marks the 24th year for the law school’s Carl A. Warns Jr. Labor and Employment Law Institute. The Warns Institute addresses current issues in labor and employment law, including analysis of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, the effect of immigration policy on employment law, and the federal Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.
The institute was named after Carl Warns Jr., who served on the law school’s faculty from 1948 to 1986 and championed labor and employment law issues.
The cost is $360 for both days and $180 for one day. Hotel registration is not included in the fee.
Register or receive more information online or call Don Olson at 502-852-6092.
