
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 8, 1995                   TAG: 9511080076
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

CAN'T LIVE ON MINIMUM WAGE? CALL THIS NUMBER

Seeking ammunition for a battle in Congress, the Clinton administration opened a toll-free phone line Tuesday to let low-income workers explain why they need an increase in the minimum wage.

``I want to hear from more minimum-wage workers,'' said Labor Secretary Robert Reich. ``What is it like to try to live on an annual income that every member of Congress earns in barely three weeks?''

President Clinton has proposed raising the wage floor from $4.25 an hour to $5.15 in two 45-cent steps. The Republican congressional leadership opposes any change.

In a speech to a women's group Tuesday, Reich noted that the minimum wage pays only $8,500 a year and that the typical worker brings home half of his or her family's weekly income.

``The minimum wage is not a livable wage,'' he maintained. ``Its real value today is 27 percent lower than it was in 1979. If it's not increased this year, it will be worth less than at any time in 40 years.''

Reich said the toll-free phone line will take calls through Nov. 17. The toll-free number is (800) 786-4975.

``We will take these stories to Capitol Hill when the Senate Labor Committee holds hearings on raising the minimum wage,'' he said.

So far, the Senate has refused to allow a vote on the issue. Republicans contend an increase would hurt the economy and price many lower-paid workers out of their jobs.

But in his speech, Reich noted ``a dozen independent studies have shown that moderate minimum-wage increases have almost no effect on employment.''

- Associated Press

by CNB