August 22, 2006

Fresno Chamber Opposes Minimum Wage Increases’ Negative Impact on Business

"The Fresno Chamber has learned that the Governor and the legislature have reached an agreement on raising the minimum wage to $8.00 per hour. The Fresno Chamber remains opposed to any minimum wage increases that:

- Allow automatic escalation of minimum salary for exempt employees.

- Do not allow for a flexible 40-hour work week before overtime
- Do not consider tips in calculating minimum wage.

Legislators need to be reminded that minimum wage increases translate into substantial increases in employer costs, negatively impacting the creation of new jobs, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and pensions.

We applaud the Governor’s success in stopping the legislature from tying future minimum wage increases to increases in inflation. The Fresno Chamber looks forward to working with the Governor and the legislature in the coming year in order to proportionately represent the interests of both employees and employers with government."
 

Contact Amy Huerta, the Chamber's Government Affairs Manager for more information at (559) 495-4818 or ahuerta@fresnochamber.com