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Wilmington City Council passes resolution supporting $15 minimum wage

Tom Byrne/Delaware Public Media

The Wilmington City Council voted Thursday night to pass a resolution that supports raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.

 
"I’m glad that our council members supported the resolution tonight. I think our council members understand the challenges that our constituents face every day," said Council member Darius Brown, who co-sponsored the legislation.

Council member Hanifa Shabazz, a co-sponsor of the bill, said the city is following the lead of President Barack Obama, who has pushed for a national $15 minimum wage.

Shabazz, who is running for City Council president, says a livable wage is integral to a healthy society.

"How can you be a parent, how can you have a family structure, how can you discipline your children, how can you participate in parent-teacher conferences, if you’re working two or three jobs?" she said.

 
All of the council members present voted to pass the resolution. The vote came after around fifty commercial office cleaners rallied in support on Rodney Square. On average, these cleaners earn between $9.65 and $10.45 an hour, which is below the living wage in New Castle County.

State Senator Bobby Marshall (D-Wilmington West) is pushing for a minimum wage increase at the state level. He proposes gradually enacting the new wage requirement by 2023.

 

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