Cherokee Nation Proposes Increase In Minimum Wage

Friday, August 25th 2006, 6:03 am

By: News On 6

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council plans to consider raising the minimum wage for tribal workers and businesses by $2.10 an hour over the next three years.

The plan would raise the $5.15 federal minimum wage currently applied to tribal workers. Wages would rise to $5.85 per hour effective October 1st, $6.55 a year later and $7.25 in two years.

Trbial council member Don Garvin says the federal minimum wage hasn't increased since 1997. Since then, Garvin says, the tribe has created thousands of new jobs and tribal workers should earn a fair living.

The proposal -- supported by Principal Chief Chad Smith -- will be considered by the council's Rules Committee on Thursday.