For Immediate Release
September 30, 2006

Contact: Adam Goode, MPA Penobscot Valley Chapter Organizer, (207) 990-0672

Minimum Wage to Increase on Sunday, October 1

Advocates Gather with Governor Baldacci and Local Legislators to Celebrate Critical Increase for Maine Workers

BREWER—On Saturday, advocates for Maine’s working families joined with Governor Baldacci and area elected officials in celebrating the October 1 minimum wage hike.  Maine’s lowest-paid working families will earn an increase in their paychecks to $6.75 an hour on Sunday, a result of legislation passed in the 122nd Legislature. Approximately 27,000 Maine people, predominately women, will benefit directly from the increase, and thousands more will see pay increases indirectly because of the “spillover effect.”

“Maine men and women should be able to earn a living wage so they can support their families, because there is no safety net better than a job with benefits and training,” said Governor Baldacci, speaking from the Eastern Maine Central Labor Council AFL-CIO hall in Brewer. “Our minimum wage should not lag behind other states in our region.” Even with Maine’s most recent increase to $6.75 an hour, the minimum wage remains among the lowest of the New England states.

“This increase, though modest, is a critical step forward for Maine’s working families,” said Jack McKay of the Maine AFL-CIO. “Of all hourly workers in Maine, approximately 27,000 reported earning wages at or below the prevailing state wage of $6.50 in 2005. An extra $500 or more per year will help families pay medical bills, buy food and clothing for their families, and access needed medication.”

“Approximately 66% of minimum wage earners are women. Simply put, wages are a woman’s issue,” said Sarah Standiford. “Moreover, every increase that puts Maine’s minimum wage on par with other New England states will benefit Maine women, their families, and our economy as a whole. More money in the pockets of Maine families means more dollars spent in our economy and fewer state supports.” 

“This increase will make a difference for thousands of Maine families,” said Camden Gould, member of the Maine People’s Alliance. “We’re grateful to Governor Baldacci and Maine’s House and Senate members who made this increase a reality and call on all of our elected officials to continue to provide pathways of opportunity for Maine’s low-wage workers.”

Organizations in Support of Raising the Minimum Wage:
Eastern Maine Central Labor Council, Food AND Medicine; Kennebec Valley Organization; Maine AFL-CIO; Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods; Maine Center for Economic Policy, Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community; Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence; Maine Equal Justice Partners; Maine People’s Alliance; Maine Women’s Lobby; National Association of Social Workers-ME Chapter; Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine; Roman Catholic Diocese-Portland

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