Consider This from NPR Life On Minimum Wage: Why The Federal Debate Continues
Feb 4, 2021
The debate over raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour is heating up as President Biden pushes for legislative change. Personal stories from low-wage workers highlight the struggles they face daily. The historical ties between minimum wage advocacy and civil rights reveal a deeper context to the ongoing conversation. Experts discuss how states with higher minimum wages have fared, contrasting optimistic economic views with concerns from small business owners. Amidst the pandemic, the vital importance of fair pay for workers has never been clearer.
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Low Wages and Hardship
- Terrence Wise, a McDonald's department manager, earns $14/hour but struggles to afford basic necessities.
- He hasn't seen a doctor in 18 years, lacks dental insurance, and has faced eviction.
Working Two Jobs
- Hannah Adwa worked two jobs after graduating college, at Whole Foods and REI, both paying under $12/hour.
- Despite working long hours, she struggled to make ends meet.
Minimum Wage and Racial Inequality
- The 1966 Fair Labor Standards Act expanded minimum wage coverage, significantly benefiting Black workers.
- This expansion contributed to reducing racial inequality in the post-civil rights era.