If you work a minimum wage job in Michigan, you’re in for a raise!
The legal whiplash has been substantial on this one, so it’s understandable if you haven’t kept up. We’ll try to break down the key points for you, though, so you know what happened and when that delicious raise may be landing on your Paycheck!
Here are Five Fast Facts on the rising minimum wage in Michigan:
- 📝 Going Back - In 2018, the One Fair Wage proposals aimed to raise the minimum wage to over $12/hr by 2023, eliminate the lower wage for tipped workers, and give most workers paid sick leave. The legislature passed these into law before they hit the ballot, then stretched the wage increase to 2030 instead.
- 👍👎 Pros And Cons - Supporters of the proposals wanted higher wages for workers, but the opposition said it would raise prices and in the end jobs would be lost. What you think about this probably depends on which side of the aisle you’re on…
- 🚫 Lawyer Up - Anyway, many lawsuits were fired up, and things bounced their way through the court system, much like a ping pong match - first one way, then the other! It ended with the MI Supreme Court deciding 4-3 that what the legislature did was unconstitutional. So, the proposals are now back to being implemented.
- 📈 The New Wage Plan - The key date is February 21st each year. Starting in 2025 the minimum wage will go up to $10/hr, then in 2026 to $10.65, in 2027 to $11.35, and in 2028 to $12. The rate will also be linked to inflation, so these numbers will end up even higher.
- 🤢 The Other Proposals - On the same timeframe, the scale of wages for tipped workers goes away so that eventually they will be paid the full minimum wage and any tips are over and above that. Also, most employers throughout the state will be required to provide one hour of paid medical leave for every 30 hours worked, even part time or seasonal workers.
🔥Bottom line: Aside from the political aspect of the minimum wage rising, this will definitely be a good thing for the workers who get paid more. Assuming they do, in fact, keep their jobs. 🤞
What do you think about all this?
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