Goodwill workers’ wages fair

By Janet Sullivan

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The National Federation of the Blind is calling for a boycott of Goodwill Industries. It claims that Goodwill pays its workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage and that this is unfair, discriminatory and

immoral.

It is true that Goodwill workers are paid less than minimum wage. They are paid by piecework - by how much work they get done.

This is fair and it is legal. According to Section 14(c) of the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, employers like Goodwill can pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. While it is true that some of the disabled can competitively earn the minimum wage, it is not realistic to assume that all of the disabled can do this.

Many people with disabilities, even with proper training and support, may never be able to be competitively employed at the minimum wage. Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act ensures that the disabled are able to work and contribute to society to the extent that they are able.

This is fair. To expect all of the people with disabilities to be as productive as the rest of the work force would be grossly unfair.

Earning a paycheck of any size reduces the disabled's dependence on public assistance. Additionally, Goodwill workers help the economy by spending their paychecks to buy things and pay taxes like the rest of us.

Working at Goodwill gives people with disabilities the personal satisfaction that comes from a job well done, the pride of earning a paycheck and being able to take care of themselves to some extent. How can we deny our disabled the dignity that comes from working?

The stated mission of Goodwill Industries is “to advance the social and economic well-being of people who experience barriers to independence.” Those who are more capable and able to fully participate in the work force are free to do so. Sheltered workshops like Goodwill fill a very important niche in our communities for those who are less capable.

The Fair Labor Standards Act and Goodwill promote compassion and respect for those who face greater challenges than the rest of us. This is fair, non-discriminatory and moral.

Janet Sullivan of Marion has a son with disabilities who works at Goodwill of the Heartland. Comments: css7777@mchsi.com