Minimum wage must go up, religious leaders say

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July 2001

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Minimum wage must go up, religious leaders say

Minimum wage must go up, religious leaders say
It's time to pass a minimum wage hike, 26 religious leaders, including the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' president Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, said in June.

In a letter to Congress and President Bush, the heads of various denominations and faith-based groups demanded the federal government "raise the wages of hard working people who serve the food we eat, clean the buildings in which we work, and care for the children and elderly we love." They added that an increase must pass "without excessive tax breaks or other amendments that would weaken important worker protections."

The religious figures lent their support to a minimum wage bill that has been stalled in Congress since February. Among the letter's signers were Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Bishop William P. DeVeaux, president of the Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; and the Rev. Robert W. Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ, an interfaith Protestant and Orthodox group.

The National Campaign for Jobs and Income Support (NCJIS) invited the leaders to sign the statement to the country's lawmakers and begin to rally support for the legislation, which would increase the minimum wage by $1.50.

"That was our kickoff," says Kevin Borden, an NCJIS campaign organizer. "Now we're going to continue to work with religious and local leaders to discuss the morality of the issue." The NCJIS coordinates grassroots anti-poverty groups in 40 states.

Borden thinks the legislation, introduced by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. David Bonior (D-MI) might finally see action this summer. "Something has to pass," he says. "The current minimum wage is at one of the lowest levels in terms of dollar buying power ever."

With the change in Senate leadership, the minimum wage bill has moved to the top of the list, Borden says. "Our current read is that the patients bill of rights and the education bill will [occupy] the Senate until the recess," Borden says. "Sen. Kennedy's office has indicated the minimum wage bill should be next after the [July 4] recess." If the Senate does take up the bill immediately after the recess, there could be a vote by mid-July. The House would then take action on its version.

Kennedy and Bonior's legislation would raise the minimum wage to $6.65 in three stages. By 2003, full-time minimum wage workers would earn an additional $3,120 per year.—Anne Graber

For more info:
Letter from the religious leaders
Catholic Charities backs better wages—from Salt of the Earth
National Campaign for Jobs and Income Support

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