MISSOURI MINIMUM WAGE UNDER ATTACK

Don't let politicians in Jefferson City overturn your vote to raise Missouri's Minimum Wage!

Amendments under consideration now to SB 255 will gut the new minimum wage.

To make sure lawmakers really get the message, call your State Legislators AND write then using the "take action" link below.

Call your State Representative and Senator today at 573-751-2151.  Ask for them by name.  Don't know your Senator or Represenative?

Visit http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/Vdavr7p1wcyJ/ 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Minimum Wage and SB 255: Listen to 76% of Missouri's Voters

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to demand that Missouri Legislators preserve the minimum wage increases that voters enacted.

You must stop any legislation that takes away workers' raises. Recent amendments to SB 255 will cut the pay of waiters and waitresses and remove the cost of living adjustment for ALL workers.

YOU MUST DEMAND A CLEAN BILL to improve overtime provisions for firefighters and police. Don't kill those improvements by linking them with pay cuts for low-wage workers.

When Proposition B passed last year, over 1.5 million voters from both political parties sent a clear message. The voters wanted minimum wage workers to get a raise and to have the raise increase with the cost of living. The voters also specifically included foodservers and employees who make tips.

Missouri lawmakers have no business overriding the voters to serve the interests of businesses. Legislators need to listen to voters and keep the workers' raise.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 10, 2007


Background Information

Some Missouri legislators are trying to eliminate the minimum wage increase for Missouri workers.

In November, 2006 76% of Missouri voters said Yes to Proposition B, which raised the Missouri minimum wage.  Over 1.5 million voters from both political parties approved the wage increase.  Voters specifically chose to have the minimum wage increased with the cost of living and to include employees who receive tips.  Prior to the people's vote, the minimum wage had not been raised in 10 years, despite ever-increasing costs of living. 

Now some politicians in Jefferson City are trying to override the voters and once again freeze wages.  They are trying to "fix" the minimum wage for the restaurant and retail industries by taking money out of the pockets of waitresses and other minimum wage workers. 

These legislators are ignoring the voters and using dirty tricks.  They are trying to freeze wages by taking away the cost of living increase.  They also want to take the minimum wage raise away from food servers and other tipped employees, the lowest-paid workers.  This dangerous legislation is on it's way to your State Representative and State Senator. 

Contact your State legislators TODAY.  Don't let politicians in Jefferson City overturn your vote on minimum wage.  To make sure lawmakers really get the message, call them AND write to them using our "take action" link.  Your emails will also be sent to House and Senate leadership.