Activists plan a press conference and public meeting today to kick off a campaign aimed at generating better-paying jobs in Southern Oregon.

The Living Wage Jobs Project, sponsored by Oregon Action, is intended to bring together churches, unions, low-wage workers, community groups and social service programs to address the need for better-paying jobs.

Sponsors point to the growing number of people across the state who need help to cover basic bills and necessities even though jobs are plentiful.

The fundamental question, they say, is: "Are we producing enough jobs at livable wages that allow workers to sufficiently care for their families?"

The meeting is scheduled at 10 a.m. in the second-floor conference room at 33 N. Central Ave., Medford. That's the Medford Center Building, long known as the Woolworth Building.

Similar living wage campaigns have been conducted in Portland, Boston, Los Angeles and Duluth, Minn., where advocates have sought ordinances that require any corporation that does business with public money or subsidies to pay a "living wage" and benefits.

One of the first elements of the Oregon campaign is to determine what constitutes a living wage.

Jeff Zimmerman, a volunteer at Oregon Action in Medford, says the Northwest Policy Center at the University of Washington is working on regional data in its "Job Gap Study."

"We're working to get businesses involved and form a strong core group," he said.

Other objectives include public education and outreach programs that give workers a voice.

Details are available from local activist Rich Rohde at 772-4029.