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,
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
“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:
Women represent nearly two-thirds of minimum-wage workers and workers in tipped occupations.
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).
Increasing the minimum wage to $10.10 would boost annual earnings by $5,700—enough to pull a family of three out of poverty.
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.
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,
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.
The data are clear.
Women are still being paid less than men in almost every occupation. And fields dominated by women pay less than fields dominated by men. Here’s the part that really drives me crazy — women are even paid less in jobs that are dominated by women, such as nursing, teaching and waitressing.
Are you fired up? Take a stand in support of equal pay by sharing this graphic today.
When our supporters share our graphics, it helps educate the public about the wage gap.
Here’s the problem: When women bring home smaller paychecks, families have less to pay for basic necessities. At a time when families are relying increasingly on women’s wages, addressing the wage gap is incredibly important.
But to do this, we need people to know about the wage gap. We have to reach beyond our core group of supporters — so that the broader public joins our efforts to close the wage gap once and for all. That’s why we need your help. Please join us by sharing this graphic today. It’s one small thing you can do to help.
Thanks again!
Sincerely,
P.S. Want to read more? Check out NWLC’s new report outlining the barriers to achieving fair pay and practical steps to close it. Also check out our new website at mywagegap.org.
Share your story about what it takes for women and families to live on the minimum wage.
$14,500.
That is what a woman makes working full time for a full year at the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
That’s right — only $14,500 a year, which is below the federal poverty line for a family of three. For tipped workers, the federal minimum cash wage is only $2.13 an hour! And nearly two-thirds of minimum wage workers and tipped workers are women.
We want to increase the minimum wage for all workers, including tipped workers, to give working families a boost and help close the wage gap.
But we can’t do it without your help. We want to hear about what it takes to live on minimum wage from women who’ve experienced it.
If you have a story to share, could you share it with us — or forward this message along to someone who might?
Around the country, families — especially those headed by women — are struggling to make ends meet. We want to make sure that legislators know EXACTLY what the stakes are. Women who work for the minimum wage do tough jobs — and deserve a raise! Please share your story today, and stay tuned for more opportunities to join us as we ramp up our efforts to increase the federal minimum wage!
Sincerely,
“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.
Be a Seed for Change 
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