PHILADELPHIA, December 14: State Sen. Mike Stack reminds workers and employers that Pennsylvania’s minimum wage will increase on Jan. 1, 2007.

“This increase will undoubtedly improve the quality of life for low-wage Pennsylvania workers, who deserve to earn a decent living for themselves and their families,” said Stack, who co-sponsored the legislation to raise the minimum wage by $2 an hour. 

Pennsylvania’s new minimum wage law, signed by Gov. Ed Rendell as Act 112 of 2006, will raise the lowest wage for most workers in two steps, reaching $7.15 an hour by July 1.

“The minimum wage increase is a necessary move to improve the quality of life for low-wage Pennsylvania workers,” Stack said.

The last increase in the minimum wage was in 1997.

“The federal minimum wage level has remained the same for too long and is unrealistic for today’s workers,” Stack said. “Now, Pennsylvania is joining other states that are instating a better living wage.” 

The bill also contains protections for small businesses, allowing them to raise the rate over a longer period of time, and providing for a “training wage.”

For businesses with the equivalent of more than 10 full-time employees (400 wage-hours per week) the minimum wage will rise to $6.25 on Jan. 1 and to $7.15 on July 1.

Businesses with the equivalent of 10 or fewer full-time employees will pay a minimum wage of $5.65 an hour on Jan. 1, $6.65 an hour on July 1, and $7.15 an hour on July 1, 2008.

Workers under 20 years of age may be paid a “training wage” of $5.15 per hour for up to 60 days of initial employment.

Stack said help is available for employers and wage earners who want to know more about the new minimum wage regulations. Links are available on his Web site, www.senatorstack.com.