The first federal minimum wage law was created in 1938. It’s been raised 22 times since then, in addition to many state minimum wage laws. And every single time it has been resisted by business and conservative interests. With the same arguments. “It would be disastrous for workers. Business. Lost jobs, reduced hours, hurt young people.”
There has been quality academic research going back many decades showing that there is no significant correlation between minimum wage increases and reduced employment levels. The losses are minimum, the gains significant.
This time it’s argued that businesses that employ many minimum wage workers can’t afford an abrupt increase that would affect all its workers. But that $4.50 an hour increase is hardly abrupt. It’s an increase over 6 years.
Another argument is that it would take people off social welfare too abruptly.
There is language in the minimum wage bill to address these and other various concerns.
It is, or should be, obvious that these arguments against raising minimum wage laws are inspired, not by economic concerns, but by ideology. “Don’t interfere with business. The welfare of workers is not our concern.” “They” deserve to make a meager wage. And “we,” the ones making much more money, deserve the lowest possible prices. It’s alarming to think the price of a burger might go up a few cents or the lift ticket a few dollars. Those minimum wage earners are in many cases subsidizing the low prices “we” enjoy.
Contact your state representative and ask her or him to support raising the minimum wage. It will benefit 70,000 working Vermonters. It’s time to lower the gap between the haves and have nots.
Lori Claffee
Springfield, Vt.
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