Statement by Edward J. McElroy,
President, American Federation of Teachers,
on Today’s House Vote To Increase the Minimum Wage to $7.25 an Hour

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The road to ending the national shame of poverty wages begins with a higher minimum wage. This is a matter of basic fairness for the millions of low-wage workers who contribute every day to the welfare and prosperity of our nation.

A minimum wage increase is long overdue. The federal rate has been frozen since 1997 at a disgraceful $5.15 an hour, its lowest inflation-adjusted level in 52 years. During these recent years of soaring productivity, many in corporate America have reaped huge profits; low-wage workers have contributed to these gains and deserve their fair share. 

We applaud the more than 25 states that have already set minimum wages above the federal rate. These states recognized the injustice of poverty wages and took action. The federal government now must ensure that all workers get a fair shake.

We also applaud the House leadership for its clean minimum wage bill free of corporate tax giveaways, rollbacks on worker protections and other payoffs to business. We encourage the Senate to follow suit with a bill devoid of poison pill amendments.

What's at stake is the ability of hard-working Americans to provide for themselves and their families. Congress and the White House should do the right thing and give low-wage workers the long-overdue raise they need and deserve.

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