By Luz Lazo
Washington Post, January 29, 2014
President Obama Wednesday morning urged an increase of the federal minimum wage from the current $7.25 per hour to $10.10 at a Costco in one of Washington’s suburbs, where the local government recently passed legislation to raise the wages. ...
Maryland has been one of the states pushing most aggressively for a raise in its minimum wage: Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) recently proposed raising the state’s minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. In 2007, Maryland passed a “living wage” law for companies contracting with the state. Numerous local governments have also forged ahead, in some cases passing legislation to dramatically increase the pay of low-wage workers. In the Washington area, the District of Columbia and the county councils of Prince George’s and Montgomery voted last year to reach $11.50 by 2017. ...
Obama came to Costco, a business that Obama said is taking the leadership to pay its workers fair wages. Costco has supported previous increases in the minimum wage because, the administration said, “it helps build a strong workforce and profitability over the long run.”
Alpha Tajudeen, 33, who is making $13.50 an hour as a stocker at the Costco in Lanham, said earning more than minimum has allowed him to live the American dream and support his wife and two children. “It is challenging for even those of us making more than the minimum. You can’t take care of your family when you earn $7 or $8 an hour,” he said. ...
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