By Bill O’Boyle
TImes Leader, March 31, 2016
WILKES-BARRE — Michael Clemente manages a small business and Thursday, with Gov. Tom Wolf at his side, he said Pennsylvania needs a raise. Clemente, regional director for Simon Arias Agencies’ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton office in the Cross Creek Pointe complex on Route 315, said the current state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour is not enough.
“Raising the minimum wage is good for business and the economy,” Clemente said. “Let’s not forget that workers are also customers. More money in the pockets of over 1 million workers will translate into more sales at businesses across the state, ours included.”
Earlier this month, as part of his “Jobs That Pay” initiative, Wolf signed an executive order that ensures employees under the governor’s jurisdiction will be paid no less than $10.15 an hour. On Thursday, Wolf called upon Pennsylvania legislators to pass a minimum wage increase for all Pennsylvania workers.
Wolf said, as a former businessman, he found that a higher wage created more employee loyalty and higher morale in the workplace. ...
Clemente said raising the minimum wage would lift consumer buying power and help insure a more sustainable economy. His company’s starting wage is $15 per hour.
“Like our agency, most small business owners already pay above the minimum wage and are reaping the benefits of lower employee turnover, increased productivity, better employee performance and a higher level of customer satisfaction,” Clemente said.
Clemente’s boss is Simon Arias, a Pennsylvania general agent for American Income Life, and owner of the Arias Agencies. Arias supports the Pennsylvania Business for a Fair Minimum Wage statement supporting an increase in the minimum wag, Clemente said.
Simon Arias Agencies represents American Income Life Insurance company products and has 10 locations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Florida.
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