US Virgin Islands
[singlepic id=4817 w=180 h=40 mode=web20 float=left]Good morning! This is Alex Randall with Good News Headlines
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Senate Approves Miminum Wage Hike
The V.I. Legislature approved on Tuesday in increase in the territory’s minimum wage. The bill, sponosred by Senator Celestino White would bring the new minimum wage to $6.05 an hour this year. There are increments built into the proposal that result in a final hike in the minimum wage to $7.65 an hour by the year 2002. Senator White said his proposal is designed to hold the Virgin Islands minimum 40 percent higher than the national standard citing in part the higher cost of living here
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Police Auction
Senator Adlah Foncie Donastorg says his police auction bill, recently approved by the Senate, will provide some needed revenues for the government. If approved by Governor Schneider, the bill will allow citizens to sign up for advance notice of items to be auctioned and the date they will be put up for bid. Senator Donastorg said if just 5,000 V.I. residents sign up for the police auction newsletter at $20 a year and 2,000 non-residents sign up for $25 a year, it will bring $150,000 a year into the local treasury
Safety Devices
In an effort to increase safety in the workplace, The Virgin Islands Department of Labor says personal fall devices used by construction workers must have locking snap hooks, previously used body belts are no longer acceptable, these changes were first authorized by the federal government last August. The rule requires employers to provide full protection whenever workers are subject to a fall of six feet or more while doing their jobs.
UVI Anniversary
The University of the Virgin Islands, which began as the College of the Virgin Islands is celebrating its 36th anniversary this month and they’re planning a host of Charter Day events. Organizers plan to dedicate a new construction project. There will be concerts and a Charter Day Ball, a new Miss UVI will be crowned, Delegate to Congress, Dr. Donna Christian Green will speak at the Charter Day convocation, high school students are invited to attend a UVI open house and the Charter Day festivities will be capped by a concert featuring the legendary jazz great Stanley Turentine.