Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), and Rep. David Bonior (D-MI) have introduced legislation that would raise the minimum wage by 50 cents an hour over each of the next three years, with increases of thirty cents an hour over the two years after that. Thereafter, the wage would be indexed to change at the same rate as the cost of living.

 

As it currently stands, a minimum wage worker makes $10,300 a year; $1,800 less than the federally-established poverty line for a family of three and $6,000 less than the poverty line for a family of four. Today's minimum wage is significantly lower than the purchasing power of the minimum wage in 1968. Indeed, it is better to be unemployed in ten other countries than it is to be employed at minimum wage in the United States.

 

The vast majority of Americans support increases in the American minimum wage. Yet such political efforts are often stymied. We strongly support the Kennedy/Bonior bill. Representatives Major Owens and Eliot Engel are co-sponsors of the bill. New York City ADA has urged all other New York City members to also co-sponsor. Please write or phone your Representative to ask him to co-sponsor the bill.

 

National ADA is coordinating the nationwide campaign with members of the public interest community to ensure that a fair, indexed minimum wage becomes a reality for all working Americans.

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