Executive Order Will Bring More Fair Compensation to Federal Jobs

Low-wage workers protest in cities across the country.

by Olivia Sandbothe

Low-wage workers in certain federally funded jobs will see a much-needed pay increase, thanks to President Obama.

For many months, low-wage workers in cities across the country have organized and walked off the job, calling for better wages with the slogans “We can’t survive on $7.25!” and “Low pay is not okay!” In many ways their movement was a great success. Public opinion is now firmly on the side of raising the minimum wage, and hundreds of economists came out in favor of the idea. Fast food worker Naquasia LeGrand was even invited to appear on the Colbert Report earlier this month. But in the face of all this momentum, Congress still refuses to budge.

Luckily, there are some workers who don’t need congressional approval to win a higher minimum wage. Activists called on President Obama to use his executive powers to lift wages for the employees of federal contractors. There are nearly 2 million people who earn low wages for federal contractors, among them janitors and cafeteria workers in federal buildings.

This week, President Obama announced that he will sign an order raising the minimum wage for these workers to $10.10 per hour. The raise will take effect during the next few years as federal contracts are renewed. It’s an important first step towards fair compensation for all workers.