Have you ever wondered just what it is that drives American society? What is it, you may have asked, that drives our country's insatiable thirst for democracy? How about individual freedom, personal liberty or the pursuit of happiness? Why didn't Lady Liberty stumble upon her unfamiliar, unorthodox principles that were so different from what the rest of the world saw as traditional? 

The only conclusion I've been able to reach did not come from a centuries-old set of rules and boundaries; rather, from our passion for life, our reluctance, our ambition, our incredible strength galvanized only by the patriotic oneness that our star spangled banner elicits. We're American, and beyond our flaws, that's all we've needed to be what I would consider the greatest nation in existence.  

To some, though, that tenacious fire for these United States has been contained, because unlike the American dream, their hard work and determination in society is not rewarded by success, or stability. They work full-time jobs, forty hours a week for the better majority of each year, assuming that such diligence will surely grant sufficient food, shelter, healthcare, financial security etc. for themselves and their family; however, instead, they receive annual salaries inadequate for even exceeding the poverty line. 

This unfortunate truth, an inability to survive in society, or accommodate a family's vital, most basic needs based upon a full-time, minimum wage income, better known as life below a "living wage" afflicts more people than you may know.  

To some, though, that tenacious fire for these United States has been contained, because unlike the American dream, their hard work and determination in society is not rewarded by success, or stability. David Garrett

According to a Wage Structure and Labor Policy Study performed by UT's Faculty Senate, an estimated 1,500 Tennessee employees, either directly employed by the University or working on its campus through outside contracting, are still earning wages that fall below Knoxville's living wage, which stands at about $10.75/hour as of 2005.

The study also found that since UT's March, 2001 pledges to increase employee minimum wages for all non-exempt workers, minimize wage compression, improve the wages of lower-end workers and provide a living wage of UT employees, and require extraneous contractors who employ workers on the University's campus to meet a living wage have all been met with laziness and lacking action.  

No focused living wage effort has been forged on campus, and the cost of living has steadily increased. Living wages across the nation have also been on the rise. Why does it seem that UT is ignoring its hard working employees who earn insufficient means to stay afloat above the poverty line, while Professors earn in the range of $90,000 per year? 

According to the Economic Policy Institute, a non-profit, non-partisan organization aimed to broaden public debate about issues concerning national economy, hourly and weekly earnings fell 1 percent in 2007, a deficit to the 2 percent increase that 2006 harbored. Economists associated with EPI fear that a recent halt in nominal wage growth coupled with the onslaught of increasing inflation make the likelihood of recession likely. 

To combat a crippled economy, President Bush has signed legislation to increase minimum wage across the nation 70 cents each summer starting in 2006 and ending in 2009, according to the Washington Post. Minimum wage differs from the living wage in that it is federally mandated by the government, while the living wage is a more idealistic concept.  

The increase is great, but will it be effective? Economist Jeanette Wicks-Lim of Dollars and Sense Magazine simplifies the balance between minimum wage and the living wage. If the minimum wage is raised substantially higher, a larger number of workers are legally obligated to raises and subsequent "ripple-effect" raises will likely be given to employees whose previous wage was close, or near the new minimum wage, so as to keep their wage relatively similar to what it previously was. Subsequently, if the minimum wage raise is miniscule, a smaller group of workers are due raises, and thus, the "ripple-effect" raises are larger.  

Regardless of the wage increases due to take place all over the country, UT has not been completely negligent of its employees. The University's administration has taken premature steps towards recognition of the necessary wage relief. Also, the birth of an employee union has come about in the wake of this look at wage relief.  

Students can help press towards sufficient living wages for affected UT employees. The Progressive Student Alliance is active on UT's campus, and meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the University Center to discuss issues of social equality.