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New Congress Members Will Join Union Activists in Pledge to Raise the Federal Minimum Wage and Lead Economic Policy Change to "Raise All Boats"

Events Happening in Cities Nationwide

For Immediate Release                                         December 7, 2006

(Washington, December 7) - - At news conferences across the country over the next week, more than 20 newly elected members of Congress will join local AFL-CIO leaders, union members and community leaders to pledge their support to fight for issues important to working families: affordable healthcare, retirement security, the freedom to form unions, and most urgently, an increase in the federal minimum wage. 

The real value of the minimum wage - - now $5.15 an hour - - has dropped to its lowest level in 51 years and Saturday, December 2, marked the longest period without a raise since a federal wage floor was enacted in 1938.  Meanwhile, Congress gave itself nine pay raises- totaling $35,000-all while blocking attempts to raise the federal minimum wage for low-wage workers.  Raising the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour would directly benefit 6.6 million low-wage workers, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

"Working people have been stretched to the limit and this year, on Election Day, they snapped back," said AFL-CIO John Sweeney.  "By supporting pro-worker candidates, working families have elected leaders who understand that good jobs, health care and the freedom to form unions are keys to supporting the middle class.