Call-in campaign to raise the federal minimum wage

Interfaith Worker Justice, a network of people of faith headquartered in Chicago, is spearheading a phone campaign to urge members of the U.S. House of Representatives to approve legislation that would raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 by 2009.

"A job should keep you out of poverty, not keep you in it," Executive Director Kim Bobo said in an e-mail to supporters.
"Help us generate thousands of calls in support. Don\’t allow special interests to load up a modest minimum-wage increase with billions in unnecessary tax breaks."

To participate, call a toll-free number for the U.S. Capitol switchboard, 1-800-459-1887. Ask to be connected to your Representative. If you need information on your Representative, click on this link to House membership.

Raising the minimum wage is a top priority of the new Democratic-controlled Congress, but proponents are concerned that an increase might be tied to other issues, such as a tax break for the wealthy. The federal minimum wage has not been raised since 1997.

In addition to Interfaith Worker Justice, other organizations involved in call-in campaigns include ACORN, the AFL-CIO and Change to Win.