WELCOME TO THE TOPOS JOB QUALITY STORYTELLING WEBINAR

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STORYTELLING

WHAT’S GOOD FOR WORKERS IS GOOD FOR

THE ECONOMY

STORYTELLING WEBINAR

SPEAKERS

Meg Bostrom, Principal and Co-Founder, Topos Partnership

Alissa Barron-Menza, Vice President of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage

Margy Waller, Senior Fellow, Topos Partnership

STORYTELLING WEBINAR

AGENDA

Quick introduction to the strategyWhat is a story?A Story in PicturesPerspectives:

BusinessCommunityWorkers

Workers’ Voices In the NewsDiscussion

STRATEGY BASICS

What Business Needs

What People Need

Job Quality policies:Minimum wagePaid Sick Days

etc.

CHALLENGE

EVEN IF PEOPLE SEE INEQUALITY, DISCRIMINATION, AND LACK OF FAIRNESS, SUPPORT IS HINDERED BY BELIEFS:

Small business can’t afford to pay more.

Workers can negotiate or leave for a better job; nothing I can do.

Education is the answer.

WHAT RATIONALE OVERCOMES THOSE HURDLES?

What Business Needs

What People Need

What People Need IS What Our Economy

Needs

MORE PRODUCTIVE FOCUS

Can’t sustain economy/community on low wage 

jobs

For our communities and economy to thrive, jobs need to pay at least enough to spend on the basics. Economy-busting jobs pay so little that people can’t afford food, or to go the doctor, or to make basic repairs, which hurts all of us, as the economy slows down. Economy-boosting jobs that raise the wage and benefits floor create stronger communities and a better economy for all of us.

“We know that thousands of Wisconsin workers cannot make it on $7.25. We also know that when workers can’t afford the basics, the whole economy slows down and everyone loses. It’s just economic common-sense: Putting more money into the hands of working people ensures they have more to spend on goods and services, increasing demand in our economy and spurring job growth.” Citizen Action of Wisconsin

WHAT IS A STORY?

WHAT IS A “STORY”?

WHAT IS A “STORY”?

THE BREAKING BAD GUIDE TO STORYTELLING

EXAMPLES

STORY IN PICTURES

OFF STRATEGY ON STRATEGY

Photo credit: Jean Ross

COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE

KEEP IN MIND

Community is the focus, not a series of individualsHighlight the impact of job quality policies on community overallAnecdotal is acceptable; do not need statistical “proof”Messengers could include: faith leaders, popular community leaders, non-profits, etc.

COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE

EXAMPLE

“A higher minimum wage and requiring paid sick days would be a huge boost to our community,” said Reverend Smith.  I’ve been here for 30 years, and I’ve watched as low wage jobs with no benefits took over and busted our community.  You see it in everything from kids who come to school sick because their parents can’t afford to get time off work, to local businesses that are barely hanging on, because people no longer have the wages to spend.  Even kid’s sports have withered, because parents can’t afford the fees.  You can’t support a community on low wage jobs.  A higher minimum wage and paid sick days would be an economic boost to our community.”

WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

TIPS FOR WORKERS’ STORIES

Embed in a broader story of community, economyStay collective, for example reference other workers in community or others fighting for changesConsider focusing on the difference better compensation will makeIncorporate values-driven “money” references

WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

EXAMPLES

What difference does $15 make?  

“I was finally able to buy my daughter new shoes and school supplies.  It has reduced a lot of the stress in my family.”

WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

EXAMPLES

How have things changed here?  

“Now the soccer fields are filled with kids on the weekends, because families can afford to have their kids join a team, and maybe even stop by the ice cream shop after a big win. It’s great – it feels more like a community now.” 

WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVE

EXAMPLES

“Just about everybody in this area is in the same position – the only jobs are low paying.  The economic stress affects everything – families that can’t afford the basics, businesses with few customers, even community activities that get cut because there’s no funding.  My co-worker was telling me how guilty she feels because the only way she can see her son play high school football is to sneak in at half time – she can’t afford the $6 ticket.  You just can’t support a family or community on low wage jobs.”

WORKERS’ VOICES IN THE NEWS

KEEP IN MIND

Avoid framing workers as victimsMake it about All of UsConnect to collective benefits, costsWorkers as a movement

WORKERS’ VOICES IN THE NEWS

COLLECTIVE BENEFITS

"’People thought we were crazy to call for $15 an hour, but all across the country, cities, states and employers are raising wages significantly because of the stand we are taking,’ Alvin Major, a KFC worker, said in the statement. ‘And so many different workers are joining our fight that we will win better pay so our families can succeed and our communities can prosper.’" (“Push for a $15 minimum wage goes to college,” By Aimee Picchi, CBS MONEYWATCH, March 31, 2015)

WORKERS’ VOICES IN THE NEWS

MOVEMENT

“In Chicago, [Nancy] Salgado says the management has not only refrained from retaliating against strikers, but has actually started treating staff with more respect. Yet the real reward she says she’s gained from the movement is a fresh sense of solidarity with other mothers like her. ‘We bond together,’ she says, ‘because we come united. … One of the strongest things I’ve learned in this organization is that being united as a family gives you a lot of strength to move forward.’” (“Fed Up: Women Fast-Food Workers Fight Back,” by Michelle Chen, Msmagazine.com, March 28, 2015)

DISCUSSION

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Go to our website:www.topospartnership.com

Or email us:margy@topospartnership.com

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