By Rob Scott
Assocations Now, May 5, 2014
As a measure to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour was blocked in the Senate last week, associations on both sides of the debate continue to make their case for and against a minimum wage increase. ...
In a strong statement last week, the board of directors for nonprofit leadership group Independent Sector called on all nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to pledge to pay a “living wage” to all employees.
“[I]ndividuals should have the opportunity to earn a life-sustaining wage that enables them to support themselves and their families. The current federal minimum wage does not do that,” the IS board said. “We believe that charitable organizations should be guided by the balanced approach of advancing their missions effectively while striving to pay wages that allow employees to provide adequately for their families, and we therefore support increasing the minimum wage.” ...
[Business] for a Fair Minimum Wage, a national network of business owners and executives, echoed IS’s sentiments in a statement that criticized the Senate for failing to pass the proposed minimum wage bill.
“The current minimum wage is hurting business and our economy,” said Holly Sklar, the organization’s director. “We cannot build a strong economy on a falling wage floor. Today’s $7.25 minimum wage has less buying power than it had in 1950 and a third less than in 1968, adjusted for inflation. Workers are also consumers, and businesses need customers who can afford their products. That’s what drives job creation.” ...
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