Paying competitive wages makes sense for UI Housing and Dining

Last week, the University of Iowa's Housing and Dining division told the Board of Regents it is phasing in higher hourly wages for its 1,300 student employees to keep up with Johnson County's rising minimum wage. We think it's a decision that makes sense.

If the operation that houses and feeds university students intends to compete for student workers with private-sector firms, it has to keep up with local wages. Although it's unfortunate any time student fees must be increased, the university's requested 2.9 percent rise in the cost of the most popular room and board plan isn't onerous and reflects the cost of doing business.

'We want to be competitive,” said Housing and Dining Director Von Stange, according to a report by The Gazette's Vanessa Miller. 'We are hearing from students that they can work more hours for more money off campus. I can't change the number of hours they work, but I can change the rate we pay them.”

We disagree with Regent Larry McKibben, who strongly opposes the move. He's critical of Johnson County's decision to raise the local minimum wage and contends the university's move will be a burden on families and students, although the extra pay also goes to students.

McKibben's criticism smacks of politics. As a Republican state senator in 2006, McKibben opposed an effort to raise the then-$5.15 per-hour state minimum by $1. In 2007, he was among 40 senators who voted for a bill raising the wage to the current $7.25, but only after voting for a series of Republican-sponsored amendments seeking to scuttle the increase. One would have eliminated the state minimum entirely.

McKibben argues that Johnson County is 'out of step” with the rest of Iowa. A Des Moines Register Iowa Poll released this week found that 69 percent of Iowans surveyed favor raising the current minimum wage.

Once again, what this latest localized skirmish demonstrates is the need for state lawmakers to tackle the issue head-on. It's been nine years since lawmakers addressed the issue, and procrastination is leading to a patchwork of local wage laws. Iowans support some sort of increase and Gov. Terry Branstad says he's open to the idea. It's long past time for legislators to raise the minimum wage, and index it to inflation to head off future wage battles.

' Gazette editorials reflect the consensus opinion of The Gazette Editorial Board. Share your comments and ideas with us: (319) 398-8469; editorial@thegazette.com