NCL applauds introduction of legislation to increase federal minimum wage – National Consumers League
July 24, 2012
Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, media@nclnet.org
Washington, DC–The National Consumers League (NCL) applauds the introduction of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2012 to the U.S. Senate (S. 3453) by Senator Tom Harkin (IA) and the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 6211) by Congressman George Miller (CA-7).
“This vital piece of legislation will benefit low wage workers and be equally important to tipped workers,” said Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of NCL. “Tipped workers, whose minimum wage is $2.13 an hour, have not had a raise since 1991 – 21 years.”
The Fair Minimum Wage Act would increase the federal minimum wage in three 85-cent steps over three years from $7.25 to $9.80 an hour. After reaching $9.80 the rate would be indexed to inflation each year thereafter. The federal tipped minimum wage would also receive a boost from its current $2.13 an hour. The bill would increase it in annual 85-cent installments until it reached 70 percent of the regular minimum wage.
“NCL hails this critical bill which would help millions of working families make ends meet and help the economy flourish. We thank Senator Harkin and Congressman Miller for their leadership and look forward to seeing it pass into law,” said Greenberg.
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About the National Consumers League
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
