$10-Per-Hour? Bill Calls For Significant Minimum Wage Hike
WASHINGTON (WWJ) - It would mean a bit more money in the pockets of working Americans.
A number of Congressmen from several states, including Michigan, are hoping to raise the current federal minimum wage to $10.
U.S. Representative John Conyers (D-Mich.) joined Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois and Dennis Kucinich of Ohio on Wednesday in announcing the proposed legislation they've titled the "Catching Up to 1968 Act of 2012."
The current minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
"This legislation is long-overdue and sorely needed," said Conyers in a statement. "More than 30 million Americans would see their wages increased which would provide an immediate boost to the economy. And if you look at today's levels of inflation, average wages, and productivity, the data clearly shows that today's minimum wage provides far less for American families than it has historically.
"In fact, as the bill's name suggests, even if raised to $10.00 per hour, the rate would still be lower than in 1968 if adjusted for inflation. This bill is a good starting point for reversing this unacceptable historical trend in working and middle class wages," he said.
"The minimum wage was originally created to ensure that workers were able to secure a decent and dignified life for themselves and their families through their labor. As the years have passed and the purchasing power provided by the minimum wage has waned, this social contract has been broken and the exploitation of low-income workers has increased at a disturbing rate," Conyers said.
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