The Reagan Administration may relax its opposition to an increase in the minimum wage if it agrees to raise the rate significantly . Labor Secretary Brock says it must exempt youths from entry - level job training and drop plans for future raises . Brock said that a number of people are not only unemployed but unemployable and that raising the wage would add to the problem . Rep Hawkins said that if Brock put his ideas into a bill it would be given a hearing . But , he said , it 's too early to talk compromise . An aide to a Republican Senator said that many people feel that an increase in the wage is inevitable .
The Reagan Administration may relax its opposition to an increase in the minimum wage if Congress agrees to dilute the legislation significantly. Labor Secretary Brock says it must exempt youths lacking entry-level job skills and drop plans for future raises. Brock said that a number of people are not only unemployed but unemployable and that increasing the wage would add to the problem. Rep Hawkins said that if Brock put his ideas into a bill it would be given a hearing. But, he said, it's too early to talk compromise. An aide to a Republican Senator said that many people feel that an increase in the wage is inevitable.