ASBC Statements in Support of Amazon’s Pledge to Raise its Starting Wage and Lobby for a Federal Minimum Wage Increase

Washington, DC – In response to Amazon’s announcement that it will work with Congress to raise the federal minimum wage above its current rate of $7.25, the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) released statements supporting the move.

“We applaud Amazon for its plan to work with Congress to raise the federal minimum wage above $7.25. Other large companies have raised their own wages, but Amazon stands out as a leader for committing to push Congress to raise the minimum wage for all employees in America. A strong minimum wage boosts consumer demand, which starts a virtuous cycle of economic growth,” said Hammad Atassi, CEO of ASBC.

Holly Sklar, CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage and serves on ASBC’s Board of Directors, said, “Amazon’s moves to raise its entry pay to $15 and advocate for raising the federal minimum wage are big steps forward. All businesses, big and small, should pay a wage that workers can live on. It’s way past time to raise the impoverishing $7.25 federal minimum wage, strengthen consumer demand, and help level the playing field among businesses.”

Business for a Fair Minimum Wage has a sign-on statement for businesses to show their support of a strong federal minimum wage. It may be found here: http://bit.ly/2P6c3dk.

ASBC’s report, The High-road Workplace: Route to a Sustainable Economy, describes the benefits of high-road employment practices and public policies, including a strong minimum wage.