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Take Action to Raise the Minimum Wage
Last week a key committee in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to increase the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour. The proposal is now attached to the annual Labor Department spending bill after getting bi-partisan support. This week, Senator Edward Kennedy will introduce an amendment in the Senate to make the increase in the mininum wage a reality. Please take a minute and send a message to your Senators urging them to support this amendment.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , As a supporter of early childhood education, I am writing to ask that you support efforts in the Senate to raise the national minimum wage to $7.25 an hour. Far too many educators of our youngest children work for sub-par wages - often for the minimum wage. Raising the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour will mean an additional $4,400 a year to help these minimum wage earners support their families. This increase translates into 8 months of rent or 15 months of groceries for a family of three. We haven't had an increase in the minimum wage in almost 9 years, so it's long overdue! Our early childhood educators give so much of themselves to our children. Giving them the raise they deserve should be a top priority. I hope you will make this a reality in the Senate. Please let me know your position on this important issue.
Sincerely, |
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| Background Information |
Raising the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour will mean an additional $4,400 a year to help these minimum wage earners support their families. This increase translates into 8 months of rent or 15 months of groceries for a family of three. We haven’t had an increase in the minimum wage in almost 9 years, so it’s long overdue!
There are far too many early childhood educators who work for the minimum wage. Raising their pay is a priority for First Class Teachers. All early childhood educators deserve rights, raises and respect – but this is especially true for those at the bottom of the wage ladder.
