Thousands of Florida workers face a pay cut. Are you a minimum wage earner? The legislation could affect you and your fellow employees. The progress of the bill through the state Legislature is fast.
Here is what you should know before it reaches the Governor's desk.
HB 917 would overturn local living wage ordinances. Some counties and cities like St. Petersburg and Miami-Dade County passed bills to protect workers' pay. The laws ensured employees got nothing less than minimum wage. Other counties also have ordinances requiring businesses to pay more than the state's minimum wage rate.
This new proposal would undermine this protection. Everyone whose pay depends on a per-hour rate would get affected. These staff members include minor-league baseball players, security officers, airport workers, and fast-food employees.
As you would suspect, corporations have thrown their support behind the bill. This legislation was previously pushed in 2022. But it was unsuccessful. The proposal is once again up for consideration.
Companies claim that in a free market, worker demand would drive wages up. But Florida counties and labor unions are against the bill. Representatives argue the cost of living continues to increase. So, uncompetitive salaries will push low-paid workers into poverty.
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