In 2018, Amazon introduced a $15 per hour minimum starting wage for all full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers. In commenting on the innovation Jay Carney, Senior VP, Global Corporate Affairs, noted that employee morale and retention improved following the introduction of the $15 per hour wage.  Applications for employment more than doubled and workers noted that they had an easier time providing for their families.

In 2018, CEO Jeff Bezos challenged other major employers to increase starting wage to $15.  Since this time Target, Best Buy, and Costco have introduced a $15 per hour starting wage and Amazon has continued to advocate for the Raise the Wage Act.

Carney noted that “Our hope is that with new support from the White House and committed leadership from the authors of the bill and co-sponsors, legislation mandating a Federal minimum of $15 per hour will quickly advance to the President’s desk and be signed into law.”  Currently the $15 federal minimum wage is part of the COVID relief package proposed by the incomong Administration, but may be removed to obtain bipartisan support for the total package.  The Raise the Wage Act could then be introduced subsequently and be passed by majority vote in the House and Senate and then will most certainly be signed by the President.