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The D.C. Council voted 7-6 today to uphold Mayor Vince Gray’s veto of the so-called living wage bill, which would have required large retailers to pay employees at least $12.50 an hour.

Anita Bonds (D-At Large) was the only Councilmember to change her vote, joining the side who opposed the bill. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmembers Vincent Orange (D-At Large), David Grosso (I-At Large), Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Kenyan MacDuffie (D-Ward 5), and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) continued to support the bill.

After the vote, chanting broke out in the Council chamber, with supporters of the bill saying, “We won’t forget.” Their voices could still be heard even after they were removed to the hallway.

Gray vetoed the bill last week, saying it was a job killer. “While the intentions of its supporters were good, this bill is simply a woefully inadequate and flawed vehicle for achieving the goal we all share,” Gray said in a statement.

Wal-Mart, which had threatened not to build three of five planned stores in D.C., announced after the veto that all stores would move forward.

“We applaud those Councilmembers who rejected pressure from special interest groups to do the right thing by their constituents,” Wal-Mart spokesperson Steven Restivo said in a statement today. “We look forward to being part of the solution in communities across D.C., especially in areas east of the river that have been traditionally overlooked by major retailers, when it comes to creating jobs, economic development opportunities and more affordable shopping options in Washington, D.C.”

Reverend Graylan Hagler, senior pastor at Plymouth United Congregational Church of Christ and member of the living wage coalition Respect D.C., said the group is “disappointed that Mayor Gray and Councilmembers Wells, Catania, Cheh, Bonds, Bowser, and Alexander have sided with Walmart and corporate lobbyists rather than the hardworking people of our city.”

“Today’s events show that many of our elected officials are not leaders,” he continued. “D.C. voters believe that City Council and the next mayor should be fighting to bring better jobs in the city, and we’re prepared to stand with leaders like Phil Mendelson and Vincent Orange who won’t back down to corporate bullying.”

Several Councilmembers have introduced or co-sponsored a new living wage or minimum wage increase bill. Gray said he would work with the Council to “pass a reasonable increase to the District’s minimum wage for all workers.”

Filed Under: council, large retailer accountability act, living wage bill, lraa, minimum wage, walmart,