Massachusetts bishops support increase in minimum wage

The Catholic Free Press

    The Massachusetts Catholic bishops released a statement Monday urging support for an increase in the hourly minimum wage.
     The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $11 per hour, according to the United States Department of Labor website, www.dol.gov. It says that the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour wen into effect July 24, 2009.
    “In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages,” it says.
    The bishops say elected officials or voters should enact laws that put in place a structure to increase hourly minimum wage over the next several years. They mention a November ballot question.
    “While the specific wage amounts are best determined by economists or other experts, we stand united in advocating for the neediest in society,” the statement says.
    It is signed by Bishop McManus; Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM, Cap., archbishop of Boston; Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha of Fall River and Bishop Mitchell Rozanski of Springfield.
    In a civilized society, every hard-working individual deserves just compensation, “in line with their inherent dignity” as God’s children, the statement says. It says a fair wage supports the individual and family, and promotes a healthy society.
    The statement quotes the Catechism of the Catholic Church, saying “a just wage is the legitimate fruit of work,” and withholding it “can be a grave injustice.” One’s pay should guarantee “the opportunity to provide a dignified livelihood … on the material, social, cultural, and spiritual level, taking into account the role and productivity of each, the state of the business, and the common good.”
    Agreement between parties isn’t enough to morally justify the amount of pay, the catechism states.
    The statement also refers to the Massachusetts bishops’ statement “The Value of a Just Wage,” from 2014, which says the Catholic Church is among the state's largest social service providers. Basic necessities are provided to those who can’t afford to provide for themselves and their families, the latest bishops’ statement says. All people should be given the opportunity to break the cycle of reliance on others – which can happen when wages are fair to employees and employers, it also says.



    Photo: Highway construction workers are seen in Dallas in this 2011 file photo. (CNS photo/Larry W. Smith, EPA)