PHILADELPHIA, July 17, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- After years of fighting to increase the state's minimum wage, Pennsylvania Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila.) heralded the new minimum wage law as a giant step in the right direction.
"Although it was nine long years in the making, this law is nothing short of historic. The Commonwealth has taken a bold step and now can be counted among fewer than two-dozen states in the country to set minimum wages above the $5.15 an hour federal requirement.
"Finally, Pennsylvanians have a path towards keeping up with inflation. They now will have dignified pay for dignified work," Hughes said.
Senator Hughes, who co-sponsored the legislation (SB 1090) that will gradually increase the state's minimum wage to $7.15 an hour over the next two years stood victoriously with Senator Christine Tartaglione and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell when the legislation was signed into law recently at Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
At the signing, Senator Hughes reflected on an important milestone in the life of the legislation. "I remember the first meeting that we had on this issue with Governor Rendell. He insisted that the Commonwealth could not afford to wait to do the right thing. His commitment to the cause was clear and we applaud his leadership as we write yet another important chapter in the history of this great state."
The measure was approved in the state Senate by a 38-12 vote. The Pennsylvania General Assembly last increased the minimum wage in 1988.
Under the new law, employees of large companies will see a minimum wage increase to $6.25 on January 1, 2007 and an increase to $7.15 on July 1, 2007. The small-employer rate (10 full time employees or less) raises the minimum wage to $5.65 on January 1, 2007, $6.65 beginning July 1, 2007 and $7.15 by July 1, 2008.
The new law also establishes a training wage (workers 20 years and younger), where teens would get $5.15 for 60 days and the full increase thereafter.