The Tribune Saturday had an interesting story about Arizona’s new minimum wage and the disabled being paid that same wage - typically they’re paid less!These are men and women learning job skills or doing jobs that others may not want - like preparing tea bags for P.F. Chang’s - an important job but perhaps not sought after as it’s tedious and it takes time. What happened to paid on-the-job training? People do get paid a regular wage while learning the job. The Marc Center is one of the organizations that help the disabled learn a skill. Randy Gray, President and CEO of the Marc Center in Mesa, provides transitional employment for about 500 people. There are about 5,000 people throughout the state within other agencies that provide this wonderful program; contracting with private companies like Bashas’ and government agencies for labor. Randy is working hard to find a solution. Before Proposition 202 agencies such as this were able to train people at a lower than minimum wage rate. Passing the new minimum wage law was good for the general population but no one thought about including a clause for transitional training - now programs such as this is in jeopardy.Maybe that’s a good thing. Why not pay disabled the new minimum wage? If the cost is the worry, have them work less hours with the new wage. Mention was made in the article that there are those that can work faster - fill in with these workers to help keep up production that would help with funding for the program. Of course the best answer is find the funds to pay people while they are being trained, providing labor to get a job done deserves a wage like anyone else. If room, board, and meals are provided at the Center or at Shelters - that would be different and seems would be easy to work with. Something like waitressing - they do not get a minimum wage because they are compensated by customer tips. Will the new minimum wage affect waitresses since the Legislature states all workers will receive minimum wage?I like what Carrie Hobbs Guiden, Executive Director of the State Advocacy Group Arc of Arizona says - she believes there are other options for the developmentally disabled besides job shelters or centers. Arc of the U.S. and of Arizona say that people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else and should be included in the new minimum wage increase that will go into effect come January 1. I understand a period of 6 months is allowed for rulings - in the meantime I hope no one is out a job or a center is forced to close until it all comes about with any extra verbage for clarity.The article was written by Sarah N. Lynch & J. Craig Anderson, p. A1
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