A handful of citizens were out gathering signatures and raising general awareness for increasing Oregon's minimum wage Saturday in downtown Eugene. It was part of a statewide effort by the Fair Shot for All Coalition with similar efforts taking place in Portland, Salem, and Bend. Regional Outreach Director Laurie Trieger says raising the minimum wage is an issue that resonates with working women and minorities.
Treiger: "They tend to be in, not only lower wage jobs, but working fewer hours, and women in particular, tend to have more care giving responsibilities outside of work, cobbling together several part-time jobs. So increasing the wage helps women-headed households in particular to meet their basic needs."
Treiger says there a couple of bills in the legislature that address raising Oregon's minimum wage. None have really gained any traction so far, but she hopes sending off some signatures will help grab the attention of lawmakers.
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