Wolf Administration Stresses Need for Minimum Wage Increase During Tour of ProtoCAM in Allentown

Allentown, PA – The Wolf Administration today highlighted how raising the minimum wage will benefit Pennsylvania’s working families and local economies, following a tour of ProtoCAM in Lehigh County.

“It’s past time that Pennsylvania ensures a fair wage so that our workers stop falling behind,” said Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Deputy Secretary for Safety and Labor Management Relations Jennifer Berrier. “All our neighboring states have raised the wage and hardworking Pennsylvanians deserve the same.”

Governor Tom Wolf is proposing to raise the minimum wage. The last increase was more than a decade ago, when the federal government, not the commonwealth, raised the wage. While Pennsylvania lags behind, 29 other states — including all of our neighbors — have boosted their minimum wage. That means that Pennsylvanians doing the same job, especially in rural communities, earn less than someone in Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia.

“Raising the minimum wage is good for families, reduces costs for public benefits, and strengthens our economy,” said Berrier. “Increasing the minimum wage puts more money in the pockets of workers, which ultimately boosts local economies and gives businesses more customers.”

Berrier toured ProtoCAM, an advanced additive and rapid industrial 3D prototyping manufacturer in Allentown. ProtoCAM supports raising the minimum wage and credits paying a living wage for its hourly employees as an essential component in being able to attract and retain high-skilled employees.

“ProtoCAM pays its workforce well over the minimum wage and has a very attractive benefits package,” said ProtoCAM President and CEO Ron Belknap. “We do this because we require skilled individuals that have a model-making background, a positive working attitude, and the ability to work independently. This results in a working environment with high worker retention and employee satisfaction which is crucial here because of the time and expense required to train new employees in this specialized industry.”

“Pennsylvanians have waited long enough,” added Berrier. “According to several polls, the public overwhelmingly supports raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. By boosting the minimum wage, legislators will create a legacy that betters the lives of working families in their community.”