The rally wil start at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Coleman's office at 2550 University Ave. W., Suite 100N, St. Paul. It is sponsored by ACORN with support of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, Let Justice Roll, Campaign for America’s Future, UFCW, JOBS NOW Coalition, Jewish Community Action and Change America Now.
Last week the U.S. House of Representatives, under its new Democratic leadership, passed legislation raising the federal minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour. The legislation contained no amendments, but supporters fear the Senate will attach measures to give tax breaks to the wealthy or institute a federal "tip penalty." A "tip penalty" would allow some employers to count tips toward workers' wages and allow companies to pay them less.
Friday's rally is one of four events ACORN is scheduling simultaneously around the country to push the Senate to pass a clean minimum wage bill.
“ACORN members are calling on Senator Coleman to vote for a clean increase in the minimum wage – with no tax breaks for businesses and no poison pills,’’ said ACORN member Karen Inman.
ACORN released a letter last week opposing any tax breaks for businesses signed by 575 groups, including major national worker rights organizations as well as religious and civil rights groups. The signers urge prompt passage of the Fair Minimum Wage Act and call on Senators to reject unnecessary amendments to Senator Ted Kennedy’s minimum wage bill that will further defer a fair increase for hard working Americans.
The last increase in the minimum wage was 10 years ago. Since then, the real value of the minimum wage has dropped to its lowest level in 51 years. Meanwhile, frustrated with federal inaction, 28 states -- including Minnesota -- and the District of Columbia have acted to raise their minimums above the federal level. |
