WHEREAS:

An estimated 6.9 million workers would receive an increase in their hourly wage rate if the minimum wage were raised to $6.65 by 2003; and

WHEREAS:

The 10.5 million workers earning close to the current minimum wage would also be likely to benefit from "spillover effects" of a minimum wage increase; and

WHEREAS:

The earnings of minimum wage workers are crucial to their families' well-being. Evidence from the 1996-97 minimum wage increase shows that the average minimum wage worker brings home more than half of his or her family's weekly earnings; and

WHEREAS:

Two-thirds of workers whose wages would be raised by a minimum wage increase are adults (age 20 or older). More than two million married men and women with children under age 18 would also benefit from a minimum wage increase; and

WHEREAS:

Women make up 60.6 percent of workers who would benefit from a minimum wage increase. Single mothers would benefit greatly from an increase -- single mothers are 10 percent of workers affected by a minimum wage increase, although they make up only 5.7 percent of the overall workforce; and

WHEREAS:

Close to half of the workers who would benefit from a minimum wage increase work full time and another third work between 20 and 34 hours per week; and

WHEREAS:

Minorities would also benefit from a minimum wage increase. African Americans represent 11.7 percent of the total workforce, but are 18.1 percent of workers affected by an increase. Similarly, 11.3 percent of the total workforce is Hispanic, but Hispanics are 14.4 percent of workers affected by an increase; and

WHEREAS:

The inflation-adjusted value of the minimum wage is 24 percent lower today than it was in 1979. Without another increase, the real value of the minimum wage will fall to $4.75 (2000 dollars) by the year 2003, according to inflation projections by the Congressional Budget Office; and

WHEREAS:

There is no evidence of job loss from the last minimum wage increase.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME supports legislation pending in Congress to raise the minimum wage to $6.65 by 2003.

SUBMITTED BY:

Edward J. Keller, Delegate
AFSCME Local 1598, Council 13
Pennsylvania