Tuesday, 24 January 2017, 2:01 pm Press Release: Unite Union
Minimum wage goal should be $20 an hour to combat poverty
and inequality
While welcoming an increase in the
minimum wage by 50 cents an hour, Mike Treen of Unite Union
says that this new level only maintains its value at about
50% of the average wage.
"This level was reached in 2008
and we need to be more ambitious as a society. We believe
the goal should be $20 or two-thirds of the average
wage
"The current consumer price index is almost
meaningless when it come to what people have to spend in
this country to live. After rent and power have been paid
there is barely enough left for food and other
necessities.
"There are widespread and unacceptable levels
of poverty in this country and inequality is getting out of
control. One way to address those issues in a meaningful way
is to progressively increase the minimum wage in real
terms."
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