February 9, 2015
By Neal Tepel
Salem, Oregon – Almost one thousand union member rallied in Salem Oregon on January 24th in support of a $15 state minimum. Labor organizations throughout Oregon have been pushing the state legislator to raise the minimum wage to a higher standard.
While the current minimum wage is $9.25 an hour, several bills are being considered in the Oregon State Legislator that would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. One bill besides increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2018 would also adjust it for inflation after that.
“Almost half a million Oregonians work for $12 an hour or less,” said Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain. “In other words, 1-in-4 Oregon workers are working as hard as they can and still live in poverty. That is shameful.”
Companies employing low-wage workers as Walmart, and McDonalds are bringing in record profits said Chamberlain. “This is wrong. Corporate greed will destroy our state, our nation, our communities, and our families,” said Chamberlain. “It is time to hold them accountable. It is time for the Oregon Legislature to pass a minimum wage that lifts workers out of poverty, not one that drives them into it.”
