FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oregon Labor Commissioner Avakian will serve as leadoff witness at Congressional Minimum Wage Hearing

[Burr, Charlie]

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Commissioner Brad Avakian
Bureau of Labor & Industries


Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 11, 2013
CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 office, (503) 913-5407 cell.

Avakian Will Serve As Leadoff Witness At Minimum Wage Hearing
"American workers deserve a raise," says Oregon Labor Commissioner Avakian

PORTLAND-Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian will serve as leadoff witness this Thursday, March 14th, during a hearing of the U.S. Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee to examine how an indexed minimum wage will help protect the purchasing power of American workers.


The hearing - convened by Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) - will be the first discussion of minimum wage indexing at the federal level in several decades. Last week, Sen. Harkin and Rep. George Miller (D-CA) introduced<http://harkin-press.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?mailaction=clickthru&gpiv=2100100676.10373.49&gen=1&mailing_linkid=80879> the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013, which would raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour and provide for automatic annual increases linked to changes in the cost of living.
"We can build a stronger economy and middle class by making sure that workers have the purchasing power they need to buy local goods and services," said Labor Commissioner Avakian. "Oregon's experience shows how an indexed minimum wage can help workers keep pace with inflation and the rising cost of household essentials. American workers deserve a raise - and I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Harkin for raising this important issue."


HEARING: "Keeping up with a Changing Economy: Indexing the Minimum Wage"

DATE:    Thursday, March 14, 2013
TIME:    7:00 a.m. PST, 10:00 a.m. EST
PLACE: 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building
A broad coalition of senior, labor, religious and hunger security organizations helped pass Oregon's voter-enacted minimum wage law in 2002. As Labor Commissioner, Avakian oversees implementation of the law and its cost of living annual adjustment. For the past ten years, the Oregon minimum wage has seen steady - and modest - increases, providing businesses with greater certainty and predictability for payroll expenses over time.

The hearing will be livestreamed at help.senate.gov.

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BOLI protects all Oregonians from unlawful discrimination, investigating allegations of civil rights violations in workplaces, career schools, housing and public accommodations, and enforces compliance with state laws relating to wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. For more information about BOLI's efforts to protect workplaces and the civil rights of all Oregonians, visit http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI.


Charlie Burr
Communications Director
Bureau of Labor and Industries
800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045
Portland, OR 97232-2180
(971) 673-0788 wk.
(503) 913-5407 cell.

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