California workers have joined other workers in cities across the country in calling for an increase in the federal minimum wage.
Today marks the three year anniversary of the last federal wage increase. Workers who rallied at the state capitol say that’s too long.
The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, or about 15,000 a year, which is below the federal poverty level for a family of two.
Jimmell Moore of Sacramento says California’s minimum wage may be higher, but he still struggles. “Even in the state of California where minimum wage of $8.00 an hour a total yearly income of $16,640 is not enough for one person, much less to sustain a family. Me, myself, I have two children, I’ve worked for odd minimum wage jobs and it really doesn’t help," said Moore.
Democratic Congressman George Miller has introduced legislation which would raise the federal minimum wage by 85 cents an hour for three years, and then adjust it annually for inflation.
Business organizations including the U-S Chamber of Commerce oppose a minimum wage increase, saying it would reduce the number of jobs that are available.
