Workers rally in Parma to raise the minimum wage

PARMA, Ohio - A person earning $7.25 an hour must work 30 minutes to buy a gallon of milk.  That's the current federal minimum wage and workers rallied in cities across the nation Tuesday to get that changed. They want Congress to raise the minimum wage to $10.00 an hour.

"Hey, hey. ho, ho. Minimum wage has got to grow," they chanted in Parma after one woman described how her husband, a skilled cable technician, works six days a week for $7.25 an hour.

In Lakewood Tuesday night, small business owners said workers should receive a fair wage. However, they said it would be difficult for them to pay higher wages in this economy.

"If their wages go up, I have to raise prices," Bob Buck, owner of Pepper's Restaurant, said.

About one third of Buck's 16 employees earn slightly more than minimum wage. Buck explained that if the minimum wage increases, the entire wage scale increases and everyone who works for him would get a pay raise. In addition to raising prices, he said it could also force him to limit the number of hours employees work.

"I believe a person should be given a fair wage in their best interest and to attract employees," Buck said. "The minimum wage may be a good thing but on the other hand, the consumer, my customers would have to understand that we have to take measures to stay in business."