By Amanda Parrish Jan 29, 2020
When it comes to raising the the minimum pay rate, living wage arguments are at the forefront with business owners concerned about how it will affect them, while legislators want to find a balance that works for everyone.
The debate over a senator’s proposal to raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024 was reignited recently with a demonstration at Legislative Hall.
In June, a bill sponsored by Sen. Darius Brown of Wilmington sought to raise the standard minimum wage by 2024. The legislation passed the Senate Labor Committee, but has not yet received support in the Senate Finance Committee to make it to the full senate.
As of Oct. 1, Delaware’s minimum wage is $9.25 an hour, or $19,240 a year for someone working 40 hours per week.
With the legislature back in session, cleaning workers from the 32BJ Service Employees International Union rallied on the steps of the capitol Jan. 14 to encourage legislators to vote for the $15 minimum wage. The union members had negotiated the increase for themselves.