This Saturday, over 300,000 working Oregonians will receive a much-needed raise when our state’s minimum wage increases. This means that full-time minimum wage workers in the Portland area will see a $3,210 increase in their annual pay and minimum wage workers in the rest of the state will earn an extra $1,040 over the course of the year.
This boost in the minimum wage is the result of the phone calls, letters, and emails to legislators YOU sent to lawmakers last year, convincing them to raise the wage across the state.
With nearly a quarter of Oregon’s workforce concentrated in low-wage jobs, our efforts to raise the wage and defend against attacks on policies that help working Oregonians are making a real difference in people’s lives. Women and people of color have a disproportionate share of low wage jobs, and by raising the wage, we are helping working Oregonians support their families and strengthening our state’s economy.
It’s important for workers to check to make sure the raise they expect on July 1 shows up in their paychecks. With three regions and annual increases, there may be instances of employers forgetting to raise wages. Concerned workers can head to the Bureau of Labor and Industries website or call 971-673-0844 to find tools for making sure they’re getting paid the right amount.
Nobody who works full time should live in poverty. The minimum wage increase on July 1 is a step forward to hundreds of thousands of Oregonians and another reminder that when we stand together, a fair shot at prosperity for all is within our grasp.