WFP HAILS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

Working Families Party leaders around New York congratulated the state legislature for enacting a $2 multi-part increase in the state hourly minimum wage, completing the WFP's six-year campaign on behalf of low-wage workers.

"Today's overwhelming vote puts a bi-partisan exclamation point on the
State Legislature's determination to bring a measure of economic
equity to New York's lowest-paid workers. We thank Senator Bruno,
Speaker Silver, and Senator Paterson for their steadfast commitment to
ensuring that nearly one million New Yorkers will receive a
long-overdue raise as the New Year begins," said Robert Master,
co-chair of the WFP.

The WFP aggressively advocated for the minimum wage increase by:

-Supporting candidates favoring the minimum wage increase and
defeating candidates opposed to the increase.
-Creating the statewide "$5.15 Is Not Enough" community, labor and
clergy coalition.
-Leading a grassroots, door-to-door lobbying effort in crucial
legislative districts.
-Generating thousands of calls to state legislators and Gov. Pataki
-Publishing original research to support the policy case for
increasing the minimum wage.

"Six years of pressure on the State Senate has borne fruit
for 55,000 Rochester-area families who can expect raises starting on
January 1," said Don Deperna Jr., a leader of the WFP's Fingerlakes
Chapter.