Labor Secretary Marty Walsh announces $15 minimum wage for federal contractors during visit to Birmingham
Labor Secretary Marty Walsh speaks at Kelly Ingram Park on Nov. 22, 2021 with union workers standing behind him.
An estimated 327,000 people across the country could see a pay increase under a new U.S. Department of Labor rule announced Monday. Starting January 30, federal contractors will be required to pay workers a new $15-an-hour minimum wage. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh spoke about the policy during a trip to Birmingham.
“The raise comes at a time to match historic federal investments,” Walsh said in reference to the infrastructure package President Biden signed into law last week. “It’s going to create millions of new jobs with construction and other new jobs that will spin-off of that.”
The new rule stems from an executive order Biden issued on April 27. The wage rate will adjust annually based on inflation. It applies to new contracts along with renewals and extensions of existing contracts.
Walsh met with residents and union workers from across the southeast at Kelly Ingram in downtown Birmingham, the site of the iconic civil rights Children’s March in 1963. He said he wanted to make the wage announcement in Birmingham because of the city’s historic significance in fighting for racial justice.
“The black community has been the driving force in the fight to raise the minimum wage all across this country and right here in Birmingham,” Walsh said. “It will especially help women and workers of color, who too often get underpaid. And it will have a big impact here in the south.”
Congresswoman Terri Sewell, who spoke at the rally, said Alabamians deserve fair wages.
“In the state of Alabama minimum wage is $7.25 and it’s simply not enough to be able to provide for our families. We know that and we are trying every day to make sure that we’re uplifting the standards of safety as well as wages for all Americans,” Sewell said.
Carolyn Morris, a federal contractor and union member at U.S. Steel in Birmingham, said she gets paid $11.80 an hour.
“Making $15 an hour will mean so much to me and my family. It’s hard making ends meet. The expenses of a household costs so much now,” Morris said.
This new rule applies to people with disabilities. It also does away with what’s known as the tipped minimum wage. That means tipped workers are paid a lower wage with tips expected to make up the difference. Tipped workers will be paid the full minimum wage by 2024.
Party City files for bankruptcy and plans to shutter nationwide
Party City was once unmatched in its vast selection of affordable celebration goods. But over the years, competition stacked up at Walmart, Target, Spirit Halloween, and especially Amazon.
Sudan’s biggest refugee camp was already struck with famine. Now it’s being shelled
The siege, blamed on the Rapid Support Forces, has sparked a new humanitarian catastrophe and marks an alarming turning point in the Darfur region, already overrun by violence.
FDA approves weight loss drug Zepbound to treat obstructive sleep apnea
The FDA said studies have shown that by aiding weight loss, Zepbound improves sleep apnea symptoms in some patients.
Netflix is dreaming of a glitch-free Christmas with 2 major NFL games set
It comes weeks after Netflix's attempt to broadcast live boxing between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was rife with technical glitches.
Big dreams: He’s the founder of a leading African photobook library
Paul Ninson had an old-school, newfangled dream: a modern library devoted to photobooks showing life on the continent. He maxed out his credit cards, injured his back — and made it happen.
Opinion: The Pope wants priests to lighten up
A reflection on the comedy stylings of Pope Francis, who is telling priests to lighten up and not be so dour.
