Effective July 24, 2007, the federal minimum wage increased from $5.15/hr. to $5.85/hr. This increase, which was opposed by the usual cast of special interest groups opposed to fair wages and workplace justice, was passed by the Democratic Congress in May 2007.
Since this is the first federal minimum wage increase in almost ten years, it is difficult to predict whether employers will promptly comply with the law. If you represent workers and their families, make sure they are receiving the new minimum wage of $5.85/hr.