Justice for Workers Means State, Nation Need to Increase the Minimum Wage

Dear Editor:  I am writing on behalf of the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South Central Wisconsin to salute the Madison City Council for working to raise the minimum wage of the lowest paid workers in our community.  We also salute those businesses that have already made a commitment to pay their employees a more livable wage. 

Many religious traditions call on businesses to provide a just wage.  We call on the State and Federal Government to follow suit.  Major faith bodies and advocates fighting poverty are united in seeking an increase in the minimum wage. 

Since the last Federal increase in 1997, the buying power of the minimum wage has been eroded by the increase in the cost of living. Currently a full-time worker earning minimum wage falls well below the poverty line for a family of three.  70% of minimum wage workers are age 20 or over, 45 percent work full-time and 40% are the sole wage earner in their household.  A worker in Madison earning the current minimum wage would need to work 80 hours/week to afford a typical two bedroom apartment. 

Wisconsin has a history of being on the cutting edge of worker rights and protections. It is well past time that Wisconsin join the twelve states, including our neighbor to the south, Illinois, that have increased their minimum wage above the Federal level.  We believe business should compete on the basis of quality, service, and productivity not on who can drive wages down the lowest.  The increase passed by the Council is modest and incremental. 

Employers who pay such low wages force their employees to rely on taxpayer-funded assistance programs, effectively subsidizing their businesses at public expense.  We believe this is a moral issue and are proud that Madison has stood up for the poorest among us. 

Patrick Hickey
ICWJ Board Member
Madison