Tag Archives: Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Four long years


National Women's Law Center
Four years — that’s how long it’s been since the last increase in the federal minimum wage. It’s still stuck at $7.25 per hour — and that adds up to only $14,500 for a year of full-time work. That’s thousands of dollars below the poverty line for a mother and two children.
SIGN THE PETITION! Urge your Senators and Representative to pass the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 (H.R. 1010/S.460).
The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 will give minimum-wage workers a much-needed raise. The bill will gradually raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, and index it to inflation in order to keep up with the rising cost of living. It will also increase the minimum cash wage for tipped workers to 70 percent of the regular minimum wage — because right now the federal minimum cash wage for tipped workers is only $2.13 per hour.
Join advocates from across the country to call on Congress to pass the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013. Sign the petition today!
Women represent nearly two-thirds of minimum-wage workers and workers in tipped occupations. And they are struggling to provide for their families. Increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour will boost annual earnings by $5,700 — enough to pull a family of three out of poverty. Raising the minimum wage will help close the gender wage gap, and would be especially helpful to women of color, who are disproportionately represented among female minimum-wage workers.
Don’t let next year be the fifth anniversary of NO increase in the minimum wage. Sign the petition today.
Thank you for all you do for women and their families.
Sincerely,
Joan Entmacher  Joan Entmacher Vice President, Family Economic Security National Women’s Law Center    

P.S. Did you know that 60% of the jobs gained by women in the economic recovery are low-wage? Check out our Facebook graphic to learn more and spread the knowledge
~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

75 years later

1 Comment

NWLCHands-Circle-180“A fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work”—that was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s goal when he signed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) 75 years ago today, establishing a federal minimum wage. It was a wonderful start—and now it’s time to make sure the minimum wage works for the 21st century.
TAKE ACTION: Urge your Senators and Representative to support the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013.
The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 will provide a much-needed update to the minimum wage. The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 per hour for almost four years — and at that rate, a woman working full time, year round earns just $14,500: nearly $4,000 below the poverty line for a family of three. The bill will gradually raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, and index it to inflation in order to keep up with the rising cost of living. It will also increase the minimum cash wage for tipped workers to 70 percent of the regular minimum wage — because right now the federal minimum cash wage for tipped workers is only $2.13 per hour.
ACT NOW: Tell your Members of Congress that it’s time for minimum-wage workers to get a raise!
Need a reason to act? How about five:

  1. Women represent nearly two-thirds of minimum-wage workers and workers in tipped occupations.
  2. Women are the majority in the 10 largest occupations that pay less than $10.10 per hour (and seven of these occupations have two-thirds or more women workers).
  3. Increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 would boost annual earnings by $5,700—enough to pull a family of three out of poverty.
  4. Raising the minimum wage will boost earnings for more than 30 million workers—generating additional economic activity and creating jobs as workers spend this income quickly to make ends meet.
  5. Raising the minimum wage would help close the gender wage gap, and would be especially helpful to women of color, who are disproportionately represented among female minimum-wage workers.

Minimum-wage workers across the country can’t afford to wait for a raise any longer. Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the minimum wage by taking action!
Thank you for all you do for women and families.
Sincerely,
Joan Entmacher  Joan Entmacher Vice President, Family Economic Security National Women’s Law Center    

P.S. States can set a higher minimum wage — and some states have done so just this year! Find out how your state is doing by checking out our interactive map.