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Minimum Wage to Increase
posted 11:33 pm Sun July 20, 2008 - Across the US
reporter: Manuel Quinones
posted by: Amy Hultstrand
Many Americans are celebrating a pay raise this week. The Federal minimum wage is set to increase from $5.85 to $6.55 an hour starting Thursday. And it's going back up next summer. It's something employees are eager for but many employers are dreading.
The owner of the J-Mart in Lynchburg says he gives workers a raise after a trial period. He would like to give them even more but says things are tough for him these days too. Workers say even making more than minimum wage is still a struggle.
Firas Qublan, Owner - "I can't also give them more because the margin of the profit is not what it used to be. So in order to keep me in business, to keep the balance, I have to deal with them just like everyone else."
Sylvia Knox, Deli Manager - "It was many years ago, though, but it was very hard. I could never make ends meet. Even now making above minimum wage, it is still not enough."
Some lawmakers have tried to increase the state minimum wage here in Virginia without success. In many states, the minimum wage is higher than the Federal requirement.
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