labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Minimum wage changes in 2009 will require every employer in the nation to update his or her labor law posters.

On January 1, 2009 eleven states will increase the minimum wage. The majority of these states implement annual cost-of-living increases in the state minimum wage.

The biggest minimum wage increase in the nation this January is $1.00 per hour, in New Mexico. This changes the New Mexico minimum wage from $6.50 to $7.50 per hour. This is a statutory change, not a cost of living change.

The Washington state minimum wage remains the highest in 2009, increasing by 48 cents from $8.07 to $8.55 per hour. The Oregon minimum wage is second, increasing by 45 cents from $7.95 to $8.40 per hour. Third place goes to Vermont, where the minimum wage increases by 38 cents from $7.68 to $8.06 per hour.

There is a 3-way tie for fourth place, between Massachusetts, Connecticut and California. That’s due to a 35 cent increase raising the Connecticut minimum wage from $7.65 to $8.00 per hour.

Massachusetts and California have minimum wages of $8.00 per hour that do not increase in 2009. It’s worth noting that when the Massachusetts and California (more…)

The Arizona minimum wage will increase by 35 cents, from $6.90 to $7.25 per hour on January 1, 2009. This is the first annual cost-of-living increase under the new Arizona minimum wage law. The increase is based on the annual inflation rate as reported by the CPI, the Consumer Price Index.  

On November 7, 2006, the Arizona voters approved Proposition 202, also known as the “Raise the Arizona Minimum Wage for Working Arizonans Act.” Under A.R.S. 23-364(A), which became effective January 1, 2007, the Industrial Commission of Arizona was given the authority to enforce and implement the Act.  Effective January 1, 2008, Arizona’s minimum wage increased to $6.90 per hour.  

Every employer covered under the Act is required to pay each employee wages not less than this amount, according to the Industrial Commission of Arizona.Effective January 12, 2008, final Administrative Rules under Title 20, Chapter 5, Article 12 were approved and are currently in effect.  

The Arizona minimum wage applies to part-time and temporary workers, as well as full-time permanent workers.  

Arizona permits employers to take up to (more…)

The Connecticut minimum wage will increase by 35 cents from $7.65 to $8.00 per hour on January 1, 2009.

The Connecticut minimum wage increase is statutory, meaning it was voted as part of state laws, rather than being a cost-of-living increase. A number of states, including Florida, Vermont, Washington and Oregon increase the minimum wage each year to adjust for inflation. Connecticut does not.

The state minimum wage is being increased by statute in New Mexico, as well as Connecticut. In New Mexico, the minimum wage will go from $6.50 to $7.50 per hour on January 1, 2009.

The Connecticut minimum wage will increase again, from $8.00 to $8.25 per hour, on January 1, 2010.

A little-known provision of Connecticut law permits (more…)

On January 1, 2009, the Montana minimum wage will increase by 35 cents, from $6.55 to $6.90 per hour. Montana law requires a cost-of-living increase to the state minimum wage.

The increase is announced each year no later than September 30, based on the Consumer Price Index or CPI for the previous 12 months. This year’s increase is 5.4% of the 2008 minimum wage of $6.55 per hour.

“This gives those Montanans who are struggling to keep up with higher energy and food prices some much needed help, “says Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. Recently the National Association of State Work Force Agencies awarded Kelly the prestigious Eagle Award.  “As the nation’s economy continues to struggle, we know that here in Montana, we’re doing everything we can to minimize the impact.”

According to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, more than 70% of (more…)

On January 1, 2009, the Vermont minimum wage will increase by 38 cents, from $7.68 per hour to $8.06 per hour. This increase puts the Vermont minimum wage in the top five in the nation. The nation’s highest minimum wage is in Washington, at $8.55 per hour in 2009. The second highest minimum wage is in Oregon, at $8.40 per hour.

The Vermont minimum wage for tipped employees increases on January 1, 2009 by 19 cents, from $3.72 per hour to $3.91 per hour. Under state law, this amount applies to “a service or tipped employee.” This is defined as an employee of a hotel, motel, tourist place or restaurant who customarily and regularly receives more than $120 per month in tips. If the employee’s tips plus wages does not average at least the Vermont minimum wage over the pay period, the employer must pay the difference to the employee, in wages.

Every Vermont employer is required to prominently display a number of labor law posters, including the Vermont minimum wage poster. Failure to do so can result in citations, fines and penalties. (more…)