| Just before members of Congress left Washington for their August recess, there was a flicker of hope for an increase in the Federal Minimum Wage which was quickly extinguished by political gamesmanship. The minimum wage increase was attached to several other controversial measures, and ultimately they all failed.
For ten long years, Congress has raised its own pay but failed to pass an increase in the Federal Minimum Wage - shocking when one realizes that a full-time worker earning the $5.15 minimum wage makes only $10,700 annually – that is $6,000 below the poverty line. Due to inflation, today’s $5.15 minimum wage is lower in value than the minimum wage in 1950.
Tell Congress it is not OK to use the Minimum Wage to play political games – they need to address the minimum wage on its own merits.
YOUR VOICE is critical over the August Recess. Right now your Senators and Representative are at home – within easy reach of their constituents. Contact your Senators and Representatives – make an appointment with them, or attend a town hall or other public meeting where they will be speaking – urge them to raise the Federal Minimum Wage before the end of the 109th Congress. To send an email message to your Senators and Representatives CLICK HERE.
Looking for more ways to be involved with Living Wage Campaigns? Contact your member during August Recess or get involved with Let Justice Roll!
AUGUST RECESS
This August is a perfect time to have face-to-face contact with your member of Congress. Call the Capitol switchboard at 1-800-270-0309 and ask for your Representative. When you are connected to the office, ask the receptionist if the Congressman/Congresswoman is holding a town hall meeting, taking part in a radio call-in show, or hosting constituents in their district office during the August Recess. Your voice “back home” can send a strong message to your member of Congress. If they are already supportive, don’t forget to say “Thank You!”
LET JUSTICE ROLL LIVING WAGE CAMPAIGN – STATE BALLOT INITIATIVES
While we continue to push for an increase in the Federal Minimum Wage, many states are moving forward with active ballot initiative efforts to increase the minimum wage at the state level. If you live in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia you can join the Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign in that state.
Click on this link to learn more and to see if organizers are in your state:
http://www.letjusticeroll.org/stateminimumwagecampaigns.html
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