On Wednesday this week, the United States Senate will hold a vote to raise the minimum wage, currently at $7.25 an hour, by 95 cents a year for the next three years. It will become $10.10 an hour in 2016. The wage for tipped workers will be set at 70% of the minimum wage. Most importantly, the wage will increase by inflation every year so low-wage workers won’t have to wait for years and years for a raise from Congress as they currently do.
The minimum wage has not increased since 2007. The tipped minimum wage – $2.13 an hour – has not increased in over 20 years. In the past 40 years, inflation has taken away 30% of the value of the minimum wage. It would be $10.60 an hour today if it had kept pace with the cost of living.
The minimum wage helps hard working families and reduces poverty. More than 14 million children have a parent who would get a raise. Raising the minimum wage will not reduce jobs, according to the more rigorous studies and real-life experience of states who have raised it.
Make Your Voice Heard. Call 202-517-2321.
You will be connected to your Senators’ offices. Tell them that no American who works full time should live in poverty. Pass the $10.10 minimum wage and stand up for America’s working families.
Michael Petit is the president of Every Child Matters Education Fund.
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