By Senator Sherrod Brown:

Even though we have taken big steps towards keeping American workers safe and providing them with fair wages and benefits, there are still far too many Ohioans who are working harder than ever and barely getting by. Too many working families struggle to get by on a minimum wage that has not kept pace with the cost of living.

That’s why I’m fighting to pass the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which would raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour in three steps of 95 cents each and then provide for automatic annual increases linked to changes in the cost of living. The bill would also gradually raise the minimum wage for tipped workers for the first time in 20 years. The tipped minimum wage currently stands at just $2.13 an hour. This bill would increase it to 70 percent of the regular minimum wage.

The labor movement has been pivotal in ensuring workers receive fair pay – and the resources needed to do their jobs well.

This Labor Day we honor those who fought hard to bring our country to where it is today, and we encourage those who know that the fight is far from over.