U.S. Congressman and labor elected official Donald Norcross from IBEW 351, joined with several lawmakers on Capitol Hill yesterday to introduce a bill that would raise the federal wage from the current level of $7.25 to $15.00 an hour by 2024 and index the minimum wage to the median wage starting in 2025.
Congressman Norcross stated, “Working families are struggling to pay their bills, and it’s well-past time we give these Americans a fighting chance by raising the federal minimum wage. The system now hurts our economy, hurts taxpayers and is morally offensive. When people finally receive $15 an hour, they’ll spend more, become less reliant on government assistance and give our economy a needed boost.”
We are proud to recognize the efforts of Congressman Norcross as a legislator as well as a labor elected official. The New Jersey State AFL-CIO Labor Candidates Program has achieved 918 election victories over the past 20 years. The introduction of a $15 minimum wage in Congress, once again demonstrates the immeasurable value of this program that continues to lift up workers voices at every level of our government.
This bill, called the Raise the Wage Act of 2017, is of critical importance to working people. The current minimum wage leaves workers in poverty and unable to advance or support a family. Despite businesses making astronomical profits and soaring productivity, workers are afforded an ever diminishing share of the economic pie.
As we learned in New Jersey, raising wages works. Businesses continue to thrive and workers get a well-deserved raise. However, it is clear that more work is needed, and we look forward to the opportunity to advance the Raise the Wage Act of 2017 with your support.