USCCB - (SDWP) - Vermont's Low Wage Workers Deserve A Raise

Since the federal minimum wage was last increased in 1996-97, employment in Vermont is up and unemployment is down.
In fact, Vermont has experienced great economic growth. Since September 1996, 18,600 new jobs have been created -- an increase of 6.7%
And while retail is often cited as the industry hit hardest by any increase in the minimum wage, 3,200 new retail jobs have been added in Vermont.
Additionally, unemployment has dropped in Vermont by 38% since the federal minimum wage was increased. It is now 2.8% -- lower than the federal rate.
With economic strengths of this proportion, surely Vermont's lowest paid workers deserve a raise.
Our proposal would increase the federal minimum wage to $6.15 by the year 2001 -- a $1 an hour increase over the current federal level and $.40 an hour above Vermont's minimum wage.
Under this proposal more than 21,000 Vermonters would receive a raise.
Our proposal is a modest one and would make the value of the minimum wage just 7¢ more than what it was in 1982.
Vermont's economy is strong and its low wage workers should share in this success. The time has come for Congress to act now and give thousands of Vermonters the raise they deserve.