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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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