Action taken by state and local governments is causing the federal pay floor to be left behind
for America’s federal minimum wage to go through periods of declining influence. It is fixed in cash terms, meaning it bites hardest whenever Congress raises it, then declines in relevance as earnings grow. Between 1998 and 2006, for example, the federal minimum stayed constant at $5.15 per hour, while average wages grew by around 30%. What is unusual about the last decade is that another force is also causing the federal pay floor to be left behind: state and local governments.
There are advantages to the emerging patchwork of policies. The risks of raising the minimum wage are lower in rich places. Local governments might fine-tune their wage floors to economic conditions. By contrast the federal minimum wage is a blunt instrument. It cannot take into account geographical differences in productivity, economic conditions, or the bargaining power of workers.
Nonetheless, some Democrats want to restore the prominence of the federal minimum wage, by boosting it to $15. Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a bill earlier this year that would do just that by 2024, but it has yet to gather enough support from Democrats to pass even in the House of Representatives . A different proposal from Terri Sewell, a Democratic congresswoman, would allow the federal minimum wage to vary regionally with the cost of living.
Republican scepticism of government meddling makes it likely that the federal minimum wage will be left to wither for a few more years. For workers in places that are seeing minimum-wage increases, this may not matter much . The rest will be left to fend for themselves. If they are lucky, the hot labour-market will force their employers to fork out for higher wages anyway. They might then ask what purpose there is for a federal minimum wage that is so low as to be completely irrelevant.
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Boy's drag performance at Ohio bar prompts lawmaker's actionCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The drag queen performance of a 9-year-old boy at a bar outside Ohio's capital city has prompted a state legislator to propose a law aimed at closing what he says is a...
Weiterlesen »
House Democrats' views vary on action after Mueller report: PelosiU.S. House Democrats' views vary on how to proceed after last week's r...
Weiterlesen »
Kamala Harris promises swift executive action if Congress doesn't pass gun control legislationSen. Kamala Harris says if she is elected President, she will give Congress 100 days 'to get their act together and have the courage to pass reasonable gun safety laws, and if they fail to do it, then I will take executive action' HarrisTownHall
Weiterlesen »
Broncos' Von Miller avoids charge in shark incident, but boat owner gets two countsVon Miller drew outrage from PETA after posing with a bloody hammerhead shark during fishing trip; he won't be charged, but boat operator was.
Weiterlesen »
Stocks set for subdued action as quartet of Dow components delivers earningsU.S. stock-index futures on Tuesday edge lower ahead of a barrage of quarterly results, including blue-chip consumer-focused companies, Coca-Cola Co., and Procter & Gamble Co., which investors will pore over to glean the health of American corporations.
Weiterlesen »
Customers who were videotaped at Kraft-connected Florida spa file class-action lawsuitNearly three dozen men and women filed a federal class-action lawsuit alleging Florida authorities unlawfully videotaped them as they received legal massages at a parlour where New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft allegedly paid for sex.
Weiterlesen »
The Latest: Harris plans executive action on gun violenceDemocratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris says she would take executive action on gun violence if Congress fails to pass comprehensive gun safety measures in her first 100 days in office
Weiterlesen »
'Somebody's Going To Listen': Opioid Watchdogs Fight Epidemic With Letter Drops, Grassroots ActionThe Opioid Watchdogs pick a day, pick a media outlet and fill that outlet’s mailbox with letters telling the stories of loved ones. It's part of a greater grassroots effort 'asking every American to [put] the epidemic first.' (OnPointRadio)
Weiterlesen »
Protesters in London block traffic, deploy super glue and strip to call for climate actionSwedish activist teen Greta Thunberg joined ‘Extinction Rebellion’ in pushing for a zero-carbon Britain.
Weiterlesen »