Summit to Explore Supports for Low-Wage Workers and Employers

Apr 24, 2015

Con Alma Health Foundation is helping sponsor a statewide summit to explore program, policy and funding supports for employers and frontline workers. New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition, in partnership with Con Alma and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, is hosting “Raise the Floor, Build the Ladder” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 28 at Hotel Albuquerque, 800 Rio Grande Blvd.

“This summit fits with our mission to advocate for all and build partnerships to support New Mexicans’ ability to live healthy lives,” said Dolores E. Roybal, Con Alma’s executive director. “Ensuring people have adequate wages to support their families is one way to improve people’s well-being.”

The Summit addresses best practices of employers of frontline workers across all industry sectors. Often, the frontline occupations in home health care, retail sales, food preparation and service. In addition to lower wages, these jobs often have irregular hours, limited benefits and limited opportunities for advancement.

One of the Summit’s hosts, the New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition, advocates for and promotes frontline workers in the health care industry. “There are a number of New Mexico health care employers we’re learning from who are investing in their staff,” said Adrienne R. Smith, President and CEO of the New Mexico Direct Caregivers Coalition. “Given caregivers’ current low average wage of $9.50 per hour, employers are demonstrating that they value their workforce through education, additional training and other workplace supports.”

The April 28 Summit will explore national and New Mexico strategies that make a difference for lower-wage workers and employers beyond the health sector. The agenda includes presentations by national leaders and state-level practices.

For more information about the coalition, contact Adrienne Smith at 505-867-6046 or email: info (at) nmdcc (dot) org

Press Release

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