According to USA Today article last March, the state of New York’s Lawmakers have agreed to raise the state’s minimum wage to $9 per hour. The new wage is to be phased in over the next three years and preempts the 80th U.S. “Do Nothing Congress” lack luster interest in the subject. Fast Food workers in 7 cities went on strike this week asking for higher wages above the $7.25 current Federal Minimum albeit on deaf Congressional ears.
It has been six years since the last increase in the Federal Minimum Wage and President Obama has again asked Congress to raise the minimum wage and said he would back a Senate initiative to raise the minimum statutory pay to $10.10 per hour. In my opinion, the Republican controlled House is more likely to agree to an $8-$9 minimum pay rate.
Announced this week, the Federal unemployment rate has dipped to 7% with 200,000 new jobs added in November and that number is 20 thousand better than expected according to the Department of Labor. As the Unemployment rate continues downward, it is becoming harder for employers to keep wages below $10 per hour. Locally, employers are addressing pay issues with current employees in an effort to retain their workforce. Companies are always better off avoiding a swinging door than having to train new staff. An HR Associates’ client recently bumped a few employee wages by $1.50 per hour to stay competitive and foster loyalty among the crew.
Currently, 20 States have a minimum wage above the Federal $7.25 with 1/2 of those sates, including Ohio, at or above $7.85 per hour. Moving the Federal Government toward a higher Federal Minimum Wage is akin to steering the Titanic out of harms way, a lumbering and potentially disastrous endeavor.
For great full time jobs well above the Federal minimum, apply here.
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