Maurice Hinchey: “I would like to commend the Clinton administration for taking action on behalf of working Americans today and raising…”

“I would like to commend the Clinton administration for taking action on behalf of working Americans today and raising the minimum wage. The administration's action is long overdue and I hope this wage increase will help the working families of my district--and the Nation--to share in the economic recovery that we read so much about. According to the Labor Department, the Employment Cost Index, which measures the wages, salaries and benefits paid to American workers, rose by only three-tenths of 1 percent during the past 12 months--the smallest annual increase on record. This means that wages and benefits have failed to rise in response to economic growth and lower unemployment. This is not a normal economic recovery in which wages rise as the economy picks up steam. The Federal Government has few opportunities to improve the wages and benefits of America's labor force and subsequently improve the quality of life of working Americans. Adjusting the minimum wage is one method available. Today, I applaud President Clinton for attempting to deal directly with the declining standard of living for working Americans.”