BOSCOLA: PENNSYLVANIA MINIMUM WAGE TO INCREASE JAN. 1

BETHLEHEM (DEC 14) - State Sen. Lisa Boscola would like to remind workers and employers that Pennsylvania’s minimum wage will increase on Jan. 1, 2007.

“This increase is a long overdue step toward improving the quality of life for hard-working Pennsylvanians and their families,” said Boscola, who co-sponsored the legislation to raise the minimum wage by $2 an hour.   

Pennsylvania’s new minimum wage law, signed by Gov. Rendell as Act 112 of 2006, will raise the lowest wage for most workers in two steps, reaching $7.15 an hour by July 1. 

The last increase in the minimum wage was in 1997. 

“Low-wage workers who are striving to earn a decent living deserve this raise,” Boscola said. “I’m proud that Pennsylvania is taking charge and joining other states in going beyond the federal minimum wage level.”

The bill also contains protections for small businesses, allowing them to raise the rate over a longer period of time, and providing for a “training wage.” 

For businesses with the equivalent of more than 10 full-time employees (400 wage-hours per week) the minimum wage will rise to $6.25 on Jan. 1 and to $7.15 on July 1. 

Businesses with the equivalent of 10 or fewer full-time employees will pay a minimum wage of $5.65 an hour on Jan. 1, $6.65 an hour on July 1, and $7.15 an hour on July 1, 2008. 

Workers under 20 years of age may be paid a “training wage” of $5.15 per hour for up to 60 days of initial employment.

 Boscola said help is available for employers and wage earners who want to know more about the new minimum wage regulations. Links are available on her Web site, www.senatorboscola.com

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