Feb. 2, 2009

Armstrong bill would establish youth training wage
Three-tiered wage would give minors better chance to enter labor market

In an effort to give young people a better opportunity to get their foot in the door for a job in a struggling economy, Rep. Mike Armstrong today introduced a measure to establish a youth training wage.

House Bill 1928 would allow employees under the age of 16 to be paid at a rate not less than 85 percent of the federal minimum wage rate. Employees who are 16 and 17 years old would be paid the federal minimum wage rate.

Armstrong, R-Wenatchee, said Washington's minimum wage rate of $8.55 an hour, which is the highest in the nation, is making it difficult for young people to compete for jobs, especially part-time and summer employment.

"This sets up a three-tiered minimum wage system that allows young people a better opportunity to go to work. They're having a very hard time finding part-time jobs," said Armstrong. "Many young people do want to have some part-time employment to save for college and have some spending money. But they've been priced out of the market. A training wage would open up new opportunities for the teen work force."

The 12th District lawmaker sponsored the bill at the request of the Washington State Farm Bureau. He says the measure would also make it easier and more affordable for farmers to hire young people for field and harvest work.

"When I was a teenager, I worked in the orchards around Wenatchee picking apples, cherries and other fruit. A training wage would help to further expand these opportunities for our young people and be a savings to farmers struggling to pay for harvest and stay in business," added Armstrong.

The federal hourly minimum wage is now $6.55, but will increase to $7.25 an hour beginning July 24.

Under Armstrong's proposal, workers under 16 would make $5.57 an hour (85 percent of the federal minimum wage) until July 24 when that would increase to $6.16 per hour. Workers ages 16 and 17 would receive 100 percent of the federal minimum wage. The state's minimum wage rate ($8.55 an hour) would become effective once a person reaches his or her 18th birthday.

The measure was referred to the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

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