The Moral Minimum

[Sapphire Blue]

The Moral Minimum
Holly Sklar and Rev. Paul Sherry
May 19, 2006

A values movement is on the rise across the nation in red states and blue, from Arizona to Ohio, Arkansas to Pennsylvania. It's pulling Americans together to raise the minimum wage—instead of pushing us apart.

The minimum wage is a bedrock moral value. The minimum wage is where society draws the line: This low and no lower.

Our bottom line is this: A job should keep you out of poverty, not keep you in it.

That's the winning message of the Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign, a fast-growing nonpartisan program of 70 faith, labor and community organizations working to raise the minimum wage at the federal and state level.

Last month, Arkansas became the first state in the South whose legislature has voted to increase the state minimum wage above the federal level of $5.15—an unconscionable $10,712 a year for full-time work. The increase came just four months after the Let Justice Roll affiliate, Give Arkansas A Raise Now, began a campaign to raise the minimum wage through an amendment to the Arkansas Constitution. As Rev. Steve Copley said at the recent Let Justice Roll national meeting, the campaign effectively brought home this point: "Everyday, thousands of Arkansans get up, go to work—and still can't provide a decent livelihood for themselves and their families.

Continued @ http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/05/19/the_moral_minimum.php

Become a Citizen Co-Sponsor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act in the Senate:

http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsletter/mwcitizencosponsor.cfm

[Redstone]

1. Yes, this is important.

Redstone

[mdmc]

2. the single most important thing we can do for working people

:kick:

[Mnemosyne]

3. And good luck finding a min. wage job that

will give you 40 hours. Most jobs in NW Pa. are less than 35 hours, many under 30.

It is another shame of this country.

[Sapphire Blue]

4. And many have rotating schedules, making it hard to find a 2nd job.

Recently there was a thread in GD... someone who seemed overworked & wished they could cut down to 30 hrs/wk w/full benefits; meanwhile low & min wage workers working 30hrs/wk are wishing they could get 40 hrs. *sigh*

[Mnemosyne]

5. And most of the employers will not work

with someone that is trying to work several jobs. They demand "loyalty" but give little in return.

It will get rougher before it improves, I fear. :(