State minimum wage remains flat

The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced Oct. 21 that the state minimum wage will stay at $7.25 per hour for fiscal 2012.

Missouri's minimum wage amount increased steadily 2006-09 from $5.15 to $7.25. Minimum wage had been $7.05 per hour prior to its increase to the current rate, according to the department of labor's Web site.

State law dictates that the minimum wage be set following a September cost of living analysis, based on data presented by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in the Consumer Price Index.

In a news release, Daniel Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, praised the announcement.

“At a time when Missouri businesses are struggling to provide jobs in today's difficult economic climate, it is good news that labor costs will remain stable and competitive compared to other surrounding states,” he said in the release.

Missouri Jobs With Justice is collecting signatures to put an initiative petition on the November 2012 ballot that would ask voters to raise the minimum wage to $8.25 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2013, with an adjustment for inflation in the following years.

Missouri's minimum wage currently is equal to the federal rate.

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