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. <!--break--> "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.

<p>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.</p> <!--break--><p>"Today's overwhelming vote puts a bi-partisan exclamation point on the<br /> State Legislature's determination to bring a measure of economic<br /> equity to New York's lowest-paid workers. We thank Senator Bruno,<br /> Speaker Silver, and Senator Paterson for their steadfast commitment to<br /> ensuring that nearly one million New Yorkers will receive a<br /> long-overdue raise as the New Year begins," said Robert Master,<br /> co-chair of the WFP.</p> <p>The WFP aggressively advocated for the minimum wage increase by:</p> <p>-Supporting candidates favoring the minimum wage increase and<br /> defeating candidates opposed to the increase.<br /> -Creating the statewide "$5.15 Is Not Enough" community, labor and<br /> clergy coalition.<br /> -Leading a grassroots, door-to-door lobbying effort in crucial<br /> legislative districts.<br /> -Generating thousands of calls to state legislators and Gov. Pataki<br /> -Publishing original research to support the policy case for<br /> increasing the minimum wage.</p> <p>"Six years of pressure on the State Senate has borne fruit<br /> for 55,000 Rochester-area families who can expect raises starting on<br /> January 1," said Don Deperna Jr., a leader of the WFP's Fingerlakes<br /> Chapter.</p>