This week (July 24) marks the 3rd anniversary since raising the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour. Imagine, that’s only $290 dollars a week (Gross) working for 40 hours a week. That amounts to just over $15,000 a year for a full-time worker, a total yearly salary that comes in at more than $7,000 below the federal poverty line for a family of four. It’s a far cry from a family-sustaining wage that Minnesotans can thrive on. In fact, there likely is not one member of Congress voting against the raise that could live on that income for a week—let alone make the car payment on their four-wheel import with it
Although the federal minimum wage hasn’t kept up with inflation, CEO pay has increased 725% over the last 30 years and 80% of all real income growth has gone to the richest 1% of Americans. We have some serious catching up to do if we’re going to make our country a place where people who work for a living can actually live off those wages and support their families.
The “Catching Up to 1968 Act of 2012” not only would increase the minimum wage it would mandate that the minimum wage be automatically adjusted to meet rising inflation each year.
SEIU locals are participating with Minnesotans for a Fair Economy in drawing attention to the issue and to ask Minnesota Congressional Representatives to support the Minimum Wage Increase being called for in legislation that will raise the federal minimum wage to $10 hour.
As of last year, 5.2 percent of hourly paid workers in the United States, or about 3.8 million people, were compensated at or below the federal minimum wage, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Congress has bailed out Banks, bailed out Wall Street and supports tax loopholes for the richest 1% in America. It’s time Congress bail out hardworking families not able to survive on minimum wage jobs. And, raising the wage not only helps workers more able to make ends meet on necessities it puts more spending money in their pocketbooks—and that’s good for the overall economy.
Please Take a Moment NOW!
Your ACTION is need NOW. Click here to send a letter to your member of Congress today!
$290 dollars a week is not family-sustaining: Urge Your Congressional Representative to Raise the Federal Minimum Wage!
