December  31, 2020
New York, NY
Starting January 1, 2021, twenty states and thirty-two cities and localities will have raised their hourly minimum wage.  This is the greatest number of wage increases approved since advocacy began in 2012.
 The last time the minimum wage was increased was in 2009 when it was raised to $7.25 per hour.  This amount is well behind the current cost of living and leaves increased numbers of hourly employees earning less than the federal poverty levels.  The increases stand to serve the lowest-earning employees who tend to be poorer workers from historically disenfranchised communities.  Given that many of these employees have been impacted most severely by the Covid-19 pandemic, these increases will be very helpful.  
More wage increases may be coming soon as President Biden has stated his support for federal wages to be increased to $15 per hour.  The efforts to increase the minimum wage have been mostly carried out by grassroots organizing.  These efforts should be increased and supported.
Currently, the restaurant industry is struggling to stay financially viable so employees who depend on tips stand to earn even less if they haven’t been laid off.  It is important that all employees benefit from increased income to prevent more individuals and families from falling into poverty.
Sikh temples, or gurdwaras, are primed to quickly and efficiently produce large quantities of food for hundreds of people. That’s because every gurdwara has langar, or communal kitchen, where volunteers regularly cook fresh vegetarian meals to serve to congregants ― and any visitor who shows up at the door.  UNITED SIKH volunteers in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle and other cities have prepared and distributed thousands of meals from gurdwaras. Volunteers have also delivered groceries to those who call into a dedicated hotline or request help on a website ― adapting the tradition of langar to a modern-day pandemic.
 UNITED SIKHS can help if you are in need of food during this spike in the pandemic or if you need information about your rights or about the minimum wage in your State.  Contact us at contact@unitedsikhs.org.