Minimum Wage Campaign Links:

• January 2006 Lobby Day
• June 5, 2006 Rally
• Minimum Wage Campaign History
• Slide Show
• May 25, 2005 rally
• April 2006 Update

The Minimum Wage has not been raised since 1997- NINE YEARS! After all this time we need an increase to at least $7.15 by next January.

HB 257 passed the House of Representatives on April 5, 2006 by a vote of 145-50.  It will raise the state minimum wage to $6.25 on July 1, 2006 and $7.15 July 1, 2007.

427,000 PA workers would benefit directly from an increase in the minimum wage to $7.15 per hour. Only 181,000 would be helped by an increase to $6.25.

Dropping the increase to $6.25 per hour (as the House Labor Relations Committee did) means that the amended bill would not cover 58% of the workers who would have benefited from an increase to $7.15.

Studies have shown that increasing the minimum wage has not led to job losses in state’s where they have raised their state minimum wage.

Adults, women (especially single mothers), senior citizens, rural workers, African Americans and Latinos make up a disproportionate number of minimum wage workers.  These groups would benefit the most from a raise in the minimum wage.

Now is the time for an increase in the Minimum Wage in Pennsylvania to $7.15 per hour.

Sources: Economic Policy Institute, Keystone Research Center, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Raise the Minimum Wage Coalition 1201 Chestnut St. Room 702 Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-557-0822

Facts On Raising The Minimum Wage

• The $5.15 per hour minimum wage has not been raised since 1997.
• 21 states, including New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and New York, have raised their minimum wages due to inaction by the US Congress.  Over half of the nation’s populations live in these states.
• HB 257 passed the House of Representatives on April 5, 2006 by a vote of 145-50.  It will raise the state minimum wage to $6.25 on July 1, 2006 and $7.15 July 1, 2007.
• The Raise the Minimum Wage Coalition and others in Harrisburg have been campaigning to increase the wage to $7.15 per hour, but the Senate has refused to allow a vote for all those years.  Senate Majority leader Chip Brightbill has refused to allow legislation to come to the floor for years.
•  427,000 PA workers would benefit directly from an increase in the minimum wage to $7.15 per hour.  Only 181,000 would be helped by an increase to $6.25.
• Dropping the increase to $6.25 per hour means that 58% of the workers who would have benefited from an increase to $7.15 would not be covered by the amended bill.
• Raising the minimum wage does not cost jobs.  States that had raised their minimum wages had more job growth in small business than states with a $5.15 minimum wage in the period of 1998-2003.  Even retail employment grew more in higher minimum wage states.  A detailed study of New Jersey after their minimum wage increase in the early 1990s showed the increase had no effect on total employment in the state.
• Adults, women (especially single mothers), senior citizens, rural workers, African Americans and Latinos make up a disproportionate number of minimum wage workers.  These groups would benefit the most from a raise in the minimum wage.
• A full-time minimum wage worker would earn over $4,000 more per year as a result of an increase of the minimum wage to $7.15 per hour. 
• Legislation should be coming to the Senate floor for a vote.  Contact your Senators and tell them to support $7.15 per hour and to demand Senator Brightbill schedule a vote.

Pennsylvania workers need an increased minimum wage NOW!

Sources: Economic Policy Institute, Keystone Research Center, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

For more information contact the Raise the Minimum Wage Coalition 1201 Chestnut St. Room 702 Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215.557.0822 or visit our web site at www.Philaup.org.

Other states and the minimum wage

20 states and the District of Columbia-covering 45% of the U.S. population-have set minimum wage rates above the federal rate of $5.15 per hour..

Sources: Center for Policy Alternative; USA TODAY research.

84% of Pennsylvanians support a $6.15/hour minimum wage and 60% support $7.15 according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll.

Prepared by Coalition to Raise the Minimum Wage c/o Philadelphia Unemployment Project, 1201 Chestnut St. Room 702, Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-557-0822

Raise the Minimum Wage Coalition Participating Organizations

PA Council of Churches
PA AFL-CIO
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry
United Food and Commercial Workers
Philadelphia Unemployment Project
ACORN
Presbytery of Philadelphia
Philadelphia AFL-CIO
Pathways PA
Congreso de los Latinos Unidos
AFSCME
Mon Valley Unemployed Committee
CATA
Hospital Workers 1199C
Service Employees International Union
Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers
Jewish Employment and Vocational Services
PA State Education Association
Community Action Council of Lehigh Valley
Women’s Law Project
Second Harvest
Jobs with Justice
Student Union
Neighborhood Networks
Democracy for America
National Student Partnership
Action Alliance of Senior Citizens
Young Workers Coalition of Berks Co.
PFT Retirees
Coalition of Labor Union Women
Interfaith Advocates of Philadelphia
United Methodist Church of SE PA
Poor People’s Caravan for Christ
Pennsylvania Hunger Action
Let Justice Roll

Summary of Minimum Wage bills Introduced into the State Legislature

Prepared by Raise the Minimum Wage Coalition
For more information contact the Raise the Minimum Wage Coalition 1201 Chestnut St. Room 702 Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215.557.0822

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