6 feb 1968 & minimum wage

#OTD Tuesday 6 February 1968 Washingtonians were discussing the new increases in minimum wage.  The federal government had recently implemented the updates made in 1966 to the Fair Labor Standards Act, initially passed in 1938 to assure minimum wage and overtime pay to many workers. These changes were in full effect by 2 February.

The new minimum wage across the U.S. jumped from $1 to $1.15 an hour for 8.5 million workers and from $1.40 to $1.60 for 33 million more. In Washington, D.C. a District wage law produced an increase from $1.25 to $1.40. While most workers were already paid above the minimum wage, those most impacted worked in hospitals, restaurants and hotels like the Gramercy Inn (1616 Rhode Island Avenue, NW).

The Gramercy Inn had air-conditioning, a swimming pool, free indoor parking, and all 350 rooms had "bar-ettes, TV and Radio." There were also meals and musical performances in the Devil's Fork Lounge. 

Researched and written by Joshua Zampetti.

Please comment below. What kind of job did you have in 1968? Do you remember what you were paid? Do you remember the Gramercy Inn? You may comment privately here. 

Photo Source: Postcard, 1968, found on eBay. 
Nordlund, W. J. (1988). "A brief history of the fair labor standards act," Labor Law Journal, 39(11), 715. 
U.S. minimum wage up; employer reaction mixed. (1968, Feb 02). New York Times.
New wage regulations take effect. (1968, Feb 02). The Washington Post, Times Herald.