MINIMUM WAGE RAISE LONG OVERDUE SAYS LET JUSTICE ROLL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katy Heins 513-314-0074, letjusticerollohio@yahoo.com

May 25, 2007, Washington, DC -- Our nation's poorest workers will finally be getting a much-needed boost when the minimum wage goes up in July. Congress and the White House should have done what 33 states and the District of Columbia did earlier, and raise the minimum wage above $5.15 without holding it hostage to war and tax cuts.

Raising the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 over 26 months will put much-needed dollars in the hands of workers for whom every dollar counts in the struggle to pay rent, food, healthcare and other necessities. After a decade without a raise, the value of today's federal minimum wage is lower than it was in 1950.

Workers have a lot of ground to make up. The minimum wage of 1968 had the purchasing power of $9.50.

Let Justice Roll will continue its work in the states and at the federal level to ensure that everyone who works for a living can earn a living wage. Specifically, while celebrating victories this month in Tennessee, Indiana and New Hampshire, Let Justice Roll is also supporting active living wage campaigns in Kansas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Cleveland, Ohio

Let Justice Roll is a nonpartisan coalition of more than 90 faith, community, labor and business organizations dedicated to the principle that a job should keep you out of poverty, not keep you in it.

For interviews with Let Justice Roll members or workers, please contact Katy Heins at 513-314-0074 or letjusticerollohio@yahoo.com

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