10.2190/CN.32.1.b B61462161282T2J4 1 The Minimum-Wage Debate and Its Implications for Unions 5 17 20080429 20080429 20080429 20080429 B61462161282T2J4.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=B61462161282T2J4 1 Catherine P. Mulder Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland This article summarizes the current Congressional debate about whether or not to raise the minimum wage and the implication of raising that wage for unions. Since the minimum wage has not been increased in a decade, its real value is at its lowest point since 1960, and conservatives in Congress are concerned that raising it would have severe negative consequences on business, particularly small business. As discussed below, however, this argument is not empirically supported. Therefore, an investigation into the role unions play in the debate and how more union-friendly states regard the lowest paid workers are presented. 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