Yesterday,  workers in the District became a bit closer to seeing the vision of a living wage fulfilled.

The D.C. Council gave its initial approval to a bill, called The Large Retailer Accountability Act, that would raise the minimum wage of workers at large retail stores from the D.C.’s current minimum of $8.25 an hour to $12.50–a rate that would significantly improve the quality of life for many employees. The 8-5 vote came after a nearly hour-long debate.

If passed, this legislation will ensure that the jobs at D.C.’s large retailers and “big box” stores will be good jobs that are enable employees to provide for themselves and their families.  The Large Retailer Accountability Act would also mean that new jobs at 6 planned Walmart’s coming to the District in the next few years will be better for Walmart associates than typically seen in their thousands of other locations across the country.

An article from dcist quotes those who voted for the bill:

“The District government has an obligation not just to encourage the development and growth of jobs, but to encourage the development and growth of quality jobs,” D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said before the vote, according to Housing Complex. Joining Mendelson in supporting the bill were Vincent Orange (D-At Large), Anita Bonds (D-At Large), David Grosso (I-At Large), Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Kenyan MacDuffie (D-Ward 5), and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8).”

The next step for the bill is to go through a second vote at the Council’s July 10 legislative session.