PA Manufacturers' Association- Press Releases

Archives- April, 2006:

04/05/06

PMA statement on minimum wage increase

Frederick W. Anton III, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association today issued the following statement:

"On behalf of Pennsylvania's manufacturing employers, please know that PMA stands alongside the rest of Pennsylvania's business community in OPPOSING any increase in the government-mandated minimum wage. Governor Rendell and the General Assembly could do more good for Pennsylvania workers and families by repealing the December 2003 increase in the Personal Income Tax than by undertaking the self-defeating exercise of hiking the minimum wage. Government interference in the wage market will only kill off entry level jobs for unskilled workers and those entering the workforce, while causing a ripple effect of wage inflation up the pay scale without any corresponding gains in productivity.

"As we rank near the bottom nationally in job growth, wage growth, and population growth, Pennsylvania's elected officials should be more concerned about creating a pro-growth environment that will generate more and better jobs and rising wages for our citizens.

"PMA is proud to stand with our friends at the National Federation of Independent Business, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry, and other Pennsylvania job-creators in opposing this counterproductive, inflationary, job-killing plan."

www.pamanufacturers.org
Contact: David N. Taylor (717) 232-0737