DC Council OK's Minimum Wage Hike With CPI Indexing

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

The DC City Council yesterday unanimously approved legislation that would raise the minimum wage in the District to $11.50 by 2016, one year earlier than Montgomery and Prince George’s counties (DC, MontCo and PG Vote to Raise Minimum Wage 12/1 UC). The DC bill also includes indexing the minimum wage to the CPI, which was stripped out of the MontCo and PG bills, though Council Chairman Phil Mendelson credited the Montgomery and Prince George's Councils for leading the way on the issue. Councilmember Tommy Wells said that local activists had been “relentless” in their quest for the wage hike. “Sure it’s a victory,” said Metro Washington Council president Joslyn Williams, “but today is just the first step. We have to keep fighting not just for a raise in the minimum wage, but a living wage for all those in this city!” In another win, the Council also approved a bill extending Paid Sick Days to restaurant employees. Final votes on the bills are scheduled for December 17. photo courtesy DC-EJC