Wisconsinites Deserve a Living Wage

Dear Editor,

Wisconsin workers and families cannot sustain themselves on $7.25 per hour, which has remained unchanged since 2009. Even surrounding states, such as Illinois and Minnesota, have raised their minimum wages. At $7.25/hour, a Wisconsin worker brings home $15,080 per year, which is below 100% of the federal poverty level. Even worse is the tipped minimum wage of $2.33 per hour for some our state's hardest workers.

According to the 2023 report from the High Road Strategy Center, raising the wage to just $15/hour would help more than 60% of families who are in poverty. However, we can do better. A single adult in Wisconsin needs at least $20.96/hour working full-time to meet their basic needs. If we raise the floor to $20/hour, 900,000 people, or one-third of Wisconsin workers, would benefit.  

This is a social justice issue, and we need to do better. As the petition by Working Families Power states: "Now more than ever we struggle with rising costs and overwhelming family budgets. Every working person punching a clock should be able to support ourselves and our families. It's time to make work pay for all working Wisconsin." This includes our women, Black, and brown workers, who are disproportionately affected by racial and gender wage gaps.   

I've formerly worked in retail settings myself. Now, as a graduate student, I am juggling part-time jobs while completing an unpaid internship, and I struggle to make ends meet. Too many Wisconsinites share this experience.

I urge all Wisconsinites to contact your state legislators. Tell them it is time to "fight for 20," a minimum wage of $20/hour, indexed to inflation. This will ensure that our Wisconsin families meet their basic needs and also help strengthen the economy. You can also support ally organizations, such as the Living Wage Coalition, who are also fighting for Wisconsin workers. Let's stand together and ensure that every worker receives a fair wage.

Sincerely,

Lynn Gray

University of Wisconsin