Sherrod Kicks Off Statewide Campaign to Raise Ohio Minimum Wage

Ashtabula Town Hall

Sherrod kicked off a statewide campaign to raise Ohio minimum wage at a town hall meeting in Ashtabula last Saturday.

Ohio is one of only two states with a minimum wage below the federal level of $5.15. an hour.  A coalition of Ohio organizations and grassroots activists have launched a drive to put minimum wage on the ballot this November.

"It's shameful that the minimum wage has failed to keep up with the cost of living while CEO salaries have skyrocketed," Sherrod told the 200 Ashtabula residents.

"The CEO of ExxonMobile earned about $13,700 an hour," Sherrod said. "Last year, an Ohioan earning the federal minimum wage -- which is higher than Ohio's minimum wage -- working full time, earned $10,500 a year."

The crowd demonstrated their support with hearty applause throughout the event, and by filling up dozens of volunteer sheets for both the minimum wage initiative, and Sherrod's campaign for the U.S. Senate.

04/03/2006 / Permalink / Economy, Minimum Wage, (all tags)