Employment Law Report

President to Announce Minimum Wage Hike for Certain Federal Contractor Employees

By Edwin S. Hopson

Several news outlets, including the New York Times, are reporting that President Obama plans to announce tonight
during his State of the Union address that he plans to sign an executive order requiring that certain workers, including janitors and construction workers, who are employed by federal contractors be paid at least $10.10 an hour as a minimum wage.  This effort, which avoids the need for Congressional approval, may be the only way the President can effect such a change.