HARRISBURG – April 9, 2024 – Union members, leaders, and lawmakers gathered today in the state Capitol to call for an increase in Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, which has not been raised since 2009.
For 15 years the minimum wage in Pennsylvania has remained stagnant while the cost of basic necessities like healthcare, childcare, housing, utilities and food have all risen. It is imperative that any minimum wage increase passed by the state legislature be a living wage – which allows for workers to cover their basic needs while remaining self-sufficient.
Senator Tina Tartaglione today announced her intent to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $20 this year, provide cost of living adjustments to the wage every five years, and set the tipped wage to 70% of the minimum wage. Among other provisions, her bill would also allow municipalities to set a local minimum wage greater than the state minimum wage.
The state Legislature last passed a minimum wage increase in 2006, and the federal minimum wage increased in 2009.
“Our Legislature has failed to take action to help working people for nearly two decades,” said Senator Tartaglione, “It is time to ensure that Pennsylvania workers receive a wage that will allow them to afford basic necessities such as rent, transportation, food and prescriptions.”
Not only is Pennsylvania’s hourly wage difficult for workers to live on, but it negatively affects worker recruitment and retention in a variety of sectors, particularly education, healthcare, and childcare.
“Imagine being a parent, juggling multiple jobs, and trying to keep your kids on track with school and life," said Christin Morris, an elementary classroom paraprofessional and member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA). “The talented men and women who work as school support staff taking care of our students throughout the school day deserve better. Paying them a living wage of at least $20 an hour will make a tremendous difference in their lives.”
The low minimum wage hinders economic growth in Pennsylvania. When workers are unable to meet their basic needs, it dampens their ability to contribute to local businesses and support the overall economy.
"Our minimum wage here in Pennsylvania has been stuck at $7.25 an hour for nearly 15 years," said PSEA President Aaron Chapin. "Every neighboring state has increased their wage, and it is time for Pennsylvania to do the same to be competitive and to be fair to our workers, including many of the hardworking support staff in our public schools."
In 2023, 30 states had higher minimum wage rates than Pennsylvania, and every state bordering Pennsylvania has a higher minimum wage than $7.25. Adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage is now worth less than at any time since the mid-1950s.
"Across the country, workers are standing up and bringing attention to the workplace challenges and unfair pay for those working in essential jobs. Pennsylvania can do it too." stated Qui-Ante Anderson, patient transporter at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, and member of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania.
The CLEAR Coalition represents more than 900,000 Pennsylvanians from seven public employee unions in Pennsylvania: AFSCME Council 13, APSCUF, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association, PSEA, SEIU and UFCW 1776.
