Clergy and Workers: Raise the Minimum Wage

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – Religious and community leaders will join low-wage workers to call on voters, legislators and candidates to support an increase in the minimum wage this Tuesday at 4:30 at Applebee’s, 6734 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63117.

The current $7.25 provides a full-time worker with $290 per week, or barely $15,080; this is simply not enough to live on as the cost of groceries, gas and other household items continues to rise. Missouri voters will have a chance to vote in November to raise our minimum wage one dollar to $8.25 per hour. In Congress, legislation has been introduced to raise the national minimum wage to $9.80/hour.

Tuesday’s event is part of a National Day of Action taking place in 17 major cities across the country marking the 3rd anniversary of the last increase in the federal minimum wage, from $5.85 to $7.25 an hour. Workers and clergy are rallying at Applebee’s - a poster child for low road employers who pay poverty wages and has fought minimum wage increases tooth and nail.

• WHO: Faith leaders, community leaders and workers
• WHAT: Rally to call on senatorial candidates Todd Akin, Sarah Steelman and John Brunner to support an increase in the state and federal minimum wages. Speakers will include minimum wage workers and faith leaders highlighting the difficulties raising a family on minimum wage.
• WHEN: Tuesday, July 24th at 4:30 p.m.
• WHERE: Applebee’s, 6734 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63117

For more on the campaign to raise the wage in Missouri, visit www.GiveMOaRaise.org.