In early 2019, the Maryland General Assembly overrode Governor Hogan's veto to enact into law an eventual $15 minimum wage for hundreds of thousands of Maryland's workers. The Fight for $15 Maryland Coalition, a broad coalition of community, social and economic justice nonprofits and leaders, advocated for this increase.
The higher minimum wage gets phased in over time with the $15 level taking effect in January, 2025. Currently, the hourly minimum wage is $11. In January of 2021, the minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $11.75 per hour for workers at businesses with 15 or more workers and to $11.60 per hour at businesses with fewer than 15 employees.
We need to stay on course and make good on this promise to keep working to lift low-wage workers out of poverty. Workers, their families,and the state benefit from rising wages. At the time the measure became law a provision was inserted that gives the Maryland Board of Public Works the power to “temporarily suspend” an increase in the minimum wage if employment decreases during the prior six-month period. Employment is clearly decreasing in this period due to the Coronavirus and the state public health orders to shelter in place. Financial security is more important than ever for families and workers at this time. Allowing the scheduled minimum wage increase to go forward results over the next few years in thousands more dollars in each workers' paycheck--most of that money will be spent in the local economy.
Unfortunately, the Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business have requested that Governor Hogan suspend the minimum wage increases this year. Their recommendation would take money out of the pockets of essential workers, who are currently risking their lives to protect and care for us during this pandemic.
The Board of Public Works should NOT pull the rug out from underneath thousands of Maryland's working families like the ones whose members are working in health care facilities, grocery stores, agricultural settings, and other social service jobs.
We, the members of the Fight for $15 Maryland Coalition, call on the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) to confirm that they will uphold the rights of workers to a fair minimum wage and to deny any requests to “temporarily suspend” the annual increase scheduled for workers in 2021 under Maryland's Minimum Wage Law.
The Board of Public Works (BPW) consists of three members: Governor Larry Hogan, Jr., Comptroller Peter Franchot, and Treasurer Nancy Kopp.
ACTION: Sign the petition to contact the Board of Public Works, and ask them to commit to honoring Maryland workers by giving them the minimum wage increase they deserve.
Petition: Protect Essential Workers' Right to a Fair Minimum Wage
I'm signing this petition to ask that the BPW uphold the Minimum Wage Law passed in 2019 and not suspend the annual increase scheduled for workers in 2021. As a Marylander I believe we need to honor our commitment to give a lift to workers whose wages have been inadequate for too long. I'm also concerned that any delay in wage increases will especially harm women and workers of color who are overrepresented in low wage jobs.
During this pandemic, public policy decisions need to help Marylanders, not hurt them. Moving ahead with an increase in the minimum wage helps people and keeps our community on the right path when it comes to economic security. Please don't pull the rug out from underneath the thousands of Maryland's working families who have been putting their health on the line during this unprecedented time.
Many of the affected employees are the very workers who are now saluted by the public, government leaders, and the media for their valor – health care support workers, grocery store employees, fast food personnel, and many others.
In closing, it should also be noted that numerous studies show that a healthy economy depends upon healthy workers having enough money to pay for basic needs, so that they don't have to rely on government programs for support. We know government programs are strained which is another reason for employers to pay family-sustaining wages.
Please protect essential workers and their families! Do not suspend the annual increase to the minimum wage.