Posted In: Education Support Professionals, Educator Voices, Kids Not Cuts, Moving in Congress, Uncategorized
Workers all across the country are struggling to make ends meet. With the federal minimum wage at a dismal $7.25 an hour, many workers are unable to earn a wage that meets basic expenses such as food, clothing and housing.
In 1960, the federal minimum wage earned by a single worker was enough to keep a family of two out of poverty. Today, however, there are only four states in the entire country where the minimum wage is enough for even an individual worker with no family to earn a living wage, meaning one in which a worker can afford food, housing, utilities and other basic expenses. Fortunately, Senate Democrats and President Obama are pushing for an increase of the federal minimum wage to $10.10, which would pull more than half of our country’s working poor out of poverty.
Research by the National Education Association tells us that 27% of education support professionals earn less than the proposed $10.10 per hour, and we know that educators deal with the effects of poverty on their students every day. That’s why we’re asking you to share your story below and tell us how an increase to the federal minimum wage would affect you, your students and your community.
Are your students coming to school hungry? Are your students’ parents unable to attend meetings with you because they are forced to work multiple jobs just to put food on the table? Are education support professionals at your school forced to jump ship for more lucrative jobs? Are you yourself struggling to live without a living wage? Simply fill out the form below to let us know how an increase to the federal minimum wage would help you, your students, and your community.
Together we can make the case to Congress how important an increase in the federal minimum wage is to our students and their families.