For Immediate Release: March 19th, 2014
Contact: Matt Sinovic, (515) 423-0530
On Monday, March 24th, a coalition of small business owners, community organizations, labor organizations, and faith leaders will launch Raise the Wage Iowa in support of raising the minimum wage. Twenty organizations have joined the statewide coalition in support of the campaign and petition at the coalition’s website.
Raise the Wage Iowa will organize and educate Iowans across the state, holding informational meetings, public rallies and events throughout the summer and fall. On Thursday, May 1st, the coalition will organize a statewide day of action, declaring ‘May Day’ for Iowa workers.
Two recent polls, conducted by the Des Moines Register and Quinnipiac University, show Iowans support raising the minimum wage by more than 65%.
Raising the minimum wage would spur economic growth by raising wages for hundreds of thousands of Iowans and creating higher demand for businesses. Research shows that several hundred million dollars would be injected into the Iowa economy if the minimum wage is raised, and the government would save money because there would be a reduction in the number of Iowans who qualify for food stamps and other public assistance.
WHO:
Raise the Wage Iowa Coalition Members
Mike Coverdale, Small Business Owner from Nevada, Iowa
Connie Ryan Terrell, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund
Matt Sinovic, Progress Iowa
Sue Dinsdale, Iowa Main Street Alliance & Iowa Citizen Action Network
WHERE:
Iowa State Capitol, Room 24
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa
WHEN:
Monday, March 24th at 11:30 AM
Participating Organizations in Raise The Wage Iowa:
AFSCME Iowa Council 61
American Friends Service Committee
Americans for Democratic Action
Des Moines Education Association
Food & Water Watch
Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund
Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans
Iowa Citizen Action Network
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund
Iowa City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
Iowa Community Action Association
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL/CIO
Iowa Main Street Alliance
Methodist Federation for Social Action, Iowa Chapter
Planned Parenthood Voters of Iowa
Progress Iowa
RESULTS
SEIU Iowa – Local 199
South Central Federation of Labor, AFL/CIO
Working Families Win
Additional information can be found at ICAN’s website.