Political Action Update

June 27, 2006

S  P  E  C  I  A  L    E  D  I  T  I  O  N

Minimum Wage

MEMO  

The Republican leadership in Congress and the Iowa Legislature, while voting to increase their own wages, have seen fit since 1997 to deny an increase to those earning the minimum wage.  Poll after poll indicates that the majority of Americans believe an increase in the minimum wage is important.  It is critical that we send a message to elected officials and those who seek elected office that it is time to increase the minimum wage.  The signatures we are collecting will be used to demonstrate to candidates the strong support that exists for increasing the minimum wage.

**Ask people to sign the petition inside this Update.**

 We’ll collect them from all over the state, conduct a press event and then send them to our members of Congress and to Iowa legislators.

Please return petitions as soon as possible, but no later than July 26.  FAX to (515) 262-9573 or mail to: Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, 2000 Walker Street, Ste. A, Des Moines, IA 50317.

 For additional petitions, please feel free to copy this petition or visit our website at www.iowaaflcio.org or the AFL-CIO Working Families Toolkit at www.workingfamiliestoolkit.com.

INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE NOW!

A PETITION

Calling for an Increase In The Minimum Wage 

Petition Circulated by____________________                                            ________             

Address____________             ____________________ State__    __ ZIP_        ___ 

Home Phone________                      ________ Cell____________           _________

E-Mail                                                                                                                           

Union/Local_____                                                      _________

Worksite____                                                        ___________

WHEREAS: The minimum wage of $5.15 per hour has not been raised since 1997 and full-time minimum wage jobs no longer lift families above the poverty level; and

WHEREAS: Republican majorities in both the Iowa Legislature and the U.S. Congress have not only refused to support any bill that would have increased the minimum wage, but have raised their own wages;  Congressman Jim Nussle, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, has opposed a minimum wage increase every time it has come up during his sixteen years in Congress; and

WHEREAS: Jobs should keep you out of poverty, not in poverty.  It’s time for our nation to reward work and respect workers.  It’s past time for a raise in our nation’s minimum wage.

THEREFORE, WE THE UNDERSIGNED urge all candidates for public office to support increasing the federal and the Iowa minimum wage to at least $7.25 per hour.

Jim Nussle—His Record Proves He’s No Friend of Iowans Who Earn the Minimum Wage

Congressman Jim Nussle has voted again and again against raising the minimum wage.  The same Jim Nussle has been cashing larger and larger paychecks—thanks to the nine pay increases that members of Congress have given themselves.  While his pay increased from $133,600 to $168,500, Jim Nussle has consistently opposed any increase in the minimum wage.  Nussle’s vision for the future doesn’t include those at the bottom of the economic ladder.

Facts You Should Know About The

Minimum Wage

• The minimum wage was last increased in 1997.

• The buying power of the minimum wage is at a 51-year low.  Since September 1997, the purchasing power of the minimum wage has deteriorated by 20%.  After adjusting for inflation, the value of the minimum wage is at its lowest level since 1955. (Jared Bernstein, Economic Policy Institute, June 20, 2006)

• Eighty-five percent of Iowans support an increase in the state minimum wage to $6.15 per hour. (The Des Moines Register, February 4, 2006.  Results from January 21-26, 2006 survey)

• If the minimum wage were raised to $7.25 per hour;128,000 Iowans would benefit directly. (Iowa Policy Project, June 2006)

• Adults make up the largest share of the workers who would benefit from a minimum wage increase.  (Economic Policy Institute, January 2006)