Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes Certified as a Living Wage Employer Bringing Total Up to 96

(ITHACA) Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes has a history of providing accessible quality health care, honest education, and fearless advocacy to communities of Tompkins, Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler counties since 1968. The Tompkins County Workers’ Center is pleased to announce that this important community institution has earned certification as a Living Wage Employer.

Karen Fritz, PPSFL’s Human Resources Manager, explains why the organization which employs 60 people decided that it was important to pay a Living Wage and seek certification:

“We are deeply committed to equitable pay and providing a Living Wage to all of our staff across our four county service area. Planned Parenthood’s mission is based on providing equal access and removing barriers to care while making sure everyone in our community can get the excellent, high quality health services they deserve. By providing a Living Wage we believe we are adding to our mission and proudly standing side by side with other community employers to help lift people out of poverty, help low-income families make ends meets, and remove barriers for individuals and families to live full and healthy lives.”

Low wages and lack of health benefits go hand in hand, even under laws that provide some help to some people with the cost of insurance premiums. Given that Tompkins County, New York, is the second most expensive place in the United States to buy health insurance, access to care can be even harder to get for working people here than in some other areas.

The Living Wage in Tompkins County is presently $14.34 per hour, as determined by the Alternatives Federal Credit Union biennial Living Wage Study. Businesses and organizations that pay at least a Living Wage may apply to the Tompkins County Workers’ Center for Certification to recognize their commitment to fair pay for workers. If you have questions about how your business (or employer!) can get certified, contact TCWC at 607-269-0409 or tcwrh@tcworkerscenter.org.