Minimum Wage

Senator Ted Kennedy and Representative David Bonior have reintroduced legislation to raise the minimum wage. The bill (S.192 in the Senate, H.R. 325 in the House) would raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $5.65 on Sept. 1, 1999, and again to $6.15 on Sept. 1, 2000. NYC ADA strongly supports this legislation, and has written Congressmembers Weiner, Velazquez, Maloney, Serrano, and Engel to urge them to sign on as co-sponsors (the other seven New York City Democrats have already done so).

 

The minimum wage has gone down substantially in real dollars, while Americans have consistently voiced strong support for an increase in the minimum wage. The minimum wage is a safety net to ensure that corporations do not exploit their workers. It is one of the basic provisions of human rights which keeps workers from hunger, homelessness, and deprivation. However, it is not high enough to keep them from slipping below the poverty line. We believe that this should be rectified.

 

We urge you to contact your Representative and Senators and tell them to support the Kennedy/Bonior Minimum Wage bill.