News Notes: Democratic Agenda Would Impact Employers; Minimum Wage Reminder

Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) has laid out a series of labor proposals for the coming year. They include expanding the federal family leave law to cover employers with as few as 10 workers; requiring employers to contribute to the cost of health insurance for employees and their families; and increasing the federal minimum wage by 50 cents a year for the next three years, to $6.65 per hour by September 1, 2000. Also, note that the minimum wage in California is already set to go to $5.75 on March 1, 1998.