HARRISBURG, DECEMBER 15, 2006 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione is reminding workers and employers that Pennsylvania’s minimum wage will increase on January 1.

“I’m thrilled that legislation I introduced more than six years ago is finally helping working families,” Tartaglione said. “It’s the first of several steps intended to lift our lowest paid workers out of poverty and account for years of inflation.”

Pennsylvania’s new Minimum Wage Law, signed by Gov. Rendell as Act 112 of 2006, will raise the lowest wage for most workers in two steps, reaching $7.15 an hour by July 1.

The bill also contains protections for small businesses, allowing them to raise the rate over a longer period of time, and providing for a “training wage.”

“We were able to come up with a bill that protects both workers and businesses,” said Tartaglione. “This law will bring Pennsylvania workers on par with surrounding states while encouraging business growth and training incentives.”

While business leaders balked for years at raising the minimum wage, CEO salaries went off the charts, Tartaglione said. Exxon recently increased CEO Rex Tillerson’s pay by 17 percent to $1.75 million.

“When it came to the minimum wage, the business community complained about rising labor costs, but they don’t seem to have a problem with multi-million dollar executive compensation,” Tartaglione said.

For businesses with the equivalent of more than 10 full-time employees (400 wage-hours per week) the minimum wage will rise to $6.25 on Jan. 1 and to $7.15 on July 1.

Businesses with the equivalent of 10 or fewer full-time employees will pay a minimum wage of $5.65 an hour on Jan. 1, $6.65 an hour on July 1, and $7.15 an hour on July 1, 2008.

Workers under 20 years of age may be paid a “training wage” of $5.15 per hour for up to 60 days of initial employment.

Tartaglione said help is available for employers and wage earners who want to know more about the new minimum wage regulations. Links are available on her Web site, www.pasenate.com/tartaglione.