PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Rally to Raise the Minimum Wage
by Shannon Tibbetts Friday, Jul. 01, 2005 at 12:53 PM
pittsburgh@nspnet.org (412) 682-3501 1323 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15219

On June 22, 2005, people from all over Pennsylvania gathered in Harrisburg to support pending legislation to raise the minimum wage.

my_pictures.jpg, image/jpeg, 580x414

Pittsburgh, PA -- On Wednesday June 22, 2005, advocates from all over the state attended a lobby day and rally in Harrisburg to convince lawmakers to pass legislation that would raise the minimum wage. Members of local Pittsburgh organizations such as National Student Partnerships (NSP), ACORN, and Mon Valley Unemployed Committee, were present to show their support for increasing the current minimum wage of $5.15 per hour.

NSP volunteer Megan Smith says, “The clients that I see on a daily basis depend on a livable wage as their only hope toward a better future. Clients not only come to us for employment assistance, but they also come to us for assistance with resources such as food, clothing, and housing, because these are extremely difficult to afford on their own if the jobs they obtain do not pay enough money. That's why we need to rally and push our legislators!”

Speakers including State Senators, State Representatives, and the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania contended that the present minimum wage is not nearly enough to support one person, let alone a family, and it has been too low for too long. The minimum wage has not been increased since 1997. Raising it would affect
thousands of workers, as well as many workers who are paid just above that amount. Other speakers revealed how the wage hike would be an economic stimulus because people would put their earnings back into circulation by consuming goods and services.

The House bill sponsored by Representative Mark Cohen would raise the minimum wage to $7.15 by January 2007 and would include cost of living adjustments. The Senate bill sponsored by Senator Tina Tartaglione would raise the minimum wage to $7 by June 30, 2007. The surrounding states of Delaware, New Jersey, and New York have already passed similar bills.


National Student Partnerships (NSP) is the nation’s only year-round, student-led volunteer service organization that links people in need with the resources and opportunities necessary to become self-sufficient. Founded by college undergraduates in 1998, NSP operates a national network of drop-in resource centers, staffed by student volunteers from area colleges and universities. Working one-on-one with low-income community members (clients), NSP Pittsburgh volunteers provide intensive on-site and referral services, which enable clients to achieve their goals. In Pennsylvania, NSP has an office in Pittsburgh and three in Philadelphia.

For additional information on National Student Partnerships contact Shannon Tibbetts at (412) 682-3501 or pittsburgh@nspnet.org and visit http://www.nspnet.org.

www.nspnet.org

add your comments