Martin Luther King Jr Day of Action

9to5 activists are coming together to celebrate the life and work of iconic civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr on January 16th, 2012. Many of the issues that MLK fought for over 40 years ago are still present in our communities today. Income inequality and economic injustice affect millions of men and women. In honor of MLK Day, 9to5 members are joining forces with their local communities to fight for the rights everyone to make a decent wage and be able to support themselves and their families.

The WAGES Act (HR 641) is a bill in Congress that would increase the minimum wage for all tipped workers. Today the minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13 an hour, and it has stayed the same for over 20 years. The Wages Act would ensure the minimum wage for tipped workers is aligned with the current minimum wage for other workers. Many tipped workers are women who are trying to support a family. Can you imagine trying to support yourself and a child while never knowing how much you are actually going to make after working a full day? It’s time to GET ACTIVE! Here are some things you can do today:

• Sign up to become part of the 9to5 Activist Network and get a toolkit to start making a difference in your community
• Go to a local MLK Day event in your community and wear your 9to5 button!
• Gather petition signatures or write a letter to your representatives telling them to pass The Wages Act(HR 641)

Contact Valerie at Valerie [at] 9to5 [dot] org or 404-688-0164 to get your Activist Network toolkit today! Finally, go to www.9to5.org  and 9to5’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/9to5org. to get updates on the MLK Day of Action!