'A National Disgrace': 19 States to Raise Minimum Wage But Federal Rate Stuck at $7.25 | Common Dreams
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One Fair Wage noted that "tipped workers can still legally be paid as little as $2.13 an hour, a system advocates describe as a direct legacy of slavery."

One Fair Wage noted that “tipped workers can still legally be paid as little as $2.13 an hour, a system advocates describe as a direct legacy of slavery.”

Over a third of US states are set to raise their minimum hourly wage in 2026, but worker advocates including Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday decried a federal minimum wage that’s remained at $7.25 since 2009—and just $2.13 an hour for tipped workers for over three decades.

Sanders (I-Vt.) said on social media on the eve of the hikes: “Congratulations to the 19 states raising the minimum wage in 2026. But let’s be clear: A $7.25 federal minimum wage is a national disgrace. No one who works full time should live in poverty. We must keep fighting to guarantee all workers a living wage—not starvation wages.”

Yannet Lathrop, NELP’s senior researcher and policy analyst, said earlier this month that “the upcoming minimum wage increases are incremental and won’t magically turn severely underpaid jobs into living-wage jobs, but they do offer a bit of relief at a time when every dollar matters for people.”

  • BotsRuinedEverything@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    4 hours ago

    I’m honestly being serious. What jobs actually pay minimum wage? Positions that get tips don’t count. I’ve had a lot of different jobs over my life and I’ve never even seen an ad for something that pays $7.25. Fast food makes like $15. Retail makes $10-$12. Hotel attendants make about the same, but also get tips. Hell… literally last week talked to an actual teenager working in a grocery store stocking shelves and he said he makes $9.50, but he’ll me making a dollar more after 90 days. Anyone can EASILY get a job at any warehouse making $15- $18.

    I get that these examples still aren’t great paychecks, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about $7.25 exactly. Who ACTUALLY pays that? I MIGHT believe some farm workers get minimum. But honestly how many workers are we talking about? And really, how many farms actually W-2 their employees? We all know those are cash jobs.

    I agree that wages should be higher, but I think this is one of the last actual free market economy mechanics we have. McDonald’s was the quintessential minimum wage job forever but they got with the times and now what was almost a shameful job in the 90’s is a very respectable position.

    So I want to fight for these workers. But WHO are we fighting for?

    • Fredselfish@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 hour ago

      The town my brother lives in has only one major employer and its a casino and it pays 8 dollars an hour. The town is fucking dead because of it.