Victory Rally for Minimum Wage Increase Tuesday

Hundreds of union members and advocates will join AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), and other elected officials Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the first federal minimum wage increase in ten years. "For too long, leaders in control of Congress neglected the needs of working Americans," letting the real value of the minimum wage fall to its lowest level in 51 years, said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. "But our new Congress listened to what working Americans said last November. It heard their call for change and acted on its principles, giving a raise to the people who need it most." The rally will feature ice cream, entertainment, and an OPEIU Local 2 provided tent, for relief from the sun, and catered lunch. John Edwards speaking at April 2006 Minimum Wage rally, photo courtesy of the GW College Democrats website