We have some breaking news from the U.S. Department of Labor: not only is the minimum wage not much money, but people who are paid minimum wage would like to make more. Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris took a cue from the president and rounded up his own human props in Charlotte, N.C., today to put a “human face” on the president’s push to raise the minimum wage to $9 an hour.
.@ActingSecHarris sits down with @MayorFoxx in #Charlotte to talk to low-wage workers about a #MWraise. http://t.co/Cq0Rv6BkTM
— US Labor Department (@USDOL) April 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/319549843204886530
@DianneG is the kid doing the worm, in the middle of the dance floor, talking about minimum wage?
— Kevin Ridley (@KJRidley) April 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/319551096056061952
Reports from the scene suggest that employers weren’t represented at today’s meeting, so no one from Chick-fil-A was there to explain where the company gets off paying people only $7.25 an hour to hate gays.
Dominique works at Chick-fil-A making $7.25 an hour. http://t.co/8MoF7MSati
— US Labor Department (@USDOL) April 3, 2013
"I'm trying to pay for school and help my family. At this wage, it's just almost impossible," said Dominique. #MWraise
— US Labor Department (@USDOL) April 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/319545565975306240
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/319545849485070336
Gloria (L) earned $8/hr at her most recent job. http://t.co/vBKNApD3p0
— US Labor Department (@USDOL) April 3, 2013
"For those people who say $7.25 is enough and $9 is too much, I'd ask them to try and live on that wage." – Gloria
— US Labor Department (@USDOL) April 3, 2013
Gloria: "For those with kids, [living on the minimum wage] comes down to paying for their food or medicine."
— US Labor Department (@USDOL) April 3, 2013
Gloria: "$9 an hour won't put you on top of the world, but it will give you a little space."
— US Labor Department (@USDOL) April 3, 2013
Tahira, who makes $9 an hour, says "It's not easy, but I have enough to pay my rent and utilities and put gas in the car."
— US Labor Department (@USDOL) April 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/319547855520034816
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/319548155890909184
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/319548592136282112
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/319548814518280192
So, what did Acting Secretary Harris learn today? Surviving on $7.25 an hour is nearly impossible, $9 is “pay my bills money” and will give you a little space, and realizing the American dream will require somewhat more. So why does President Obama want to deny millions a shot at the American dream by wimping out at $9? Is he that cheap?
RT @dianneg: .@ActingSecHarris: "this is not supersize coke on the weekends money, this is pay my bills money." on raising the minimum wage.
— US Labor Department (@USDOL) April 3, 2013
"At 7.25/hour, I just don't see how anyone can live the American dream." – Tahira
— US Labor Department (@USDOL) April 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/GHogan0421/status/319551706696404992
@USDOL Why should it? It should kick your butt every day to look for something better, to increase skills, to increase marketability.
— Gabriel (@disasterstudent) April 3, 2013
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