Tell Congress: The 99% Need a Raise

Raising the minimum wage is an important step toward an economy that works for everyone, not just the richest 1%. That's why both current elected officials and those who are pursuing elected office need to stand with us in raising the federal minimum wage.

Here are just a few reasons we need to raise the minimum wage -- and soon:

• The minimum wage can't support our families. At $8.00, the minimum wage in Massachusetts amounts to only $16,640 a year — and that's before taxes. That's almost $6,500 below the federal poverty line for a family of four.
   
• We get $8.00. They get 725%. The federal minimum wage hasn't kept up with inflation, but CEO pay has risen 725% over the last 30 years.
   
• We’ve got some catching up to do. If the federal minimum wage had kept up with inflation over the past 40 years, it would currently be at $10.55.
  
• It's not just about minimum wage workers. When the minimum wage rises, everyone benefits -- including workers who are currently paid more than minimum wage. And the additional funds for working families means that there is more money in our economy.

People who work for a living should be able to live off of their wages. The federal minimum wage needs to be adequate enough for working people to live on—and indexed to inflation so it doesn't fall in value every year.

Sign our petition to our country's elected officials, and we'll deliver them during an upcoming day of action. Together, we can end the growing gap between the rich and the rest of us. →