Metro

Quinn ‘wages’ labor war

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has chosen labor over business in a dispute over the council’s “living wage” bill.

Quinn, a mayoral hopeful, has opposed a proposal in the bill that would let mayors exempt some companies doing business with the city from having to pay workers $11.50 per hour, or $10 per hour plus benefits.

“Businesses that accept significant taxpayer dollars must pay a living wage,” said Quinn.

But losing the exemption miffed business group Partnership for NYC, which dropped its support for the bill.

“The revised language of the living wage bill would tie the city’s hands in negotiating the best possible terms for city -assisted projects,” Partnership president Kathy Wylde said.

“Without a waiver provision, this legislation is not consistent with the best interests of the city and particularly of its lowest income communities. As a result, the Partnership must withdraw our support of this bill.”

Mayor Bloomberg promises to veto the bill, but Quinn has enough votes to override him.

Labor leader Stuart Applebaum, president of the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union, said completed negotiations of the living wage bill is great news for the city’s working families: “This is a landmark bill that will improve the lives of many low-wage workers.”