Minimum Wage Established

The Fair Labor Standard Act was signed by President Roosevelt on June 25. The act called for a minimum wage of 25 cents per hour, rising eventually to 40 cents per hour. It mandated a 44 hour week, to be reduced, eventually, to 40 hours.

The Fair Labor Standards Act was the last major New Deal legislation to be passed. As the Congressional session opened, FDR was dubious that it would be possible to pass any law. However, with the help of Harry Hopkins, together with Senator Wagner’s strong support in favor of bill, convinced F.D.R. to fight to for the legislation. After a difficult fight, the Fair Labor Standards was finally passed by the House, in a vote of 314-7. The Fair Labor Standards established a ban on child labor. It created a national minimum wage of 25 cents an hour– rising to 40 cents an hour in six years. It also established a cap of a 40-hour workweek , after which time, and half would have to be paid. In the opinion of many, the Fair Labor Standards was one of the most important laws to come out of the New Deal.

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