Glendale Community College students who work on campus have wondered why they haven’t seen a pay increase most workers in the state received when the new minimum wage went into effect Jan. 1.

More than a million workers who earn the state minimum wage saw it jump from $5.75 to $6.25 per hour at the start of the year. By next year, 50 more cents will be added to the minimum, giving California workers one of the highest minimum wage rates in the nation.

Unfortunately, student workers here are not covered by the increase.

“The college is exempt because we have a fixed budget,” said Mirta Lorenzo, Student Employment Services Manager. “Any changes should have been made in the beginning of the school year, we cannot change it in the middle of the school year.”

“There is a possibility that we can get more money for the college when the budget is set, next month but only then can we raise the minimum wage if it is approved,” said Nancy Knight, Vice President of College Services.

Currently, the majority of students are getting paid the minimum wage of $5.75 an hour. Some, whose jobs require more responsibility or training, such as police cadets, make more.

“Some students have come to us and are concerned,” said Beggs.

Several students who work on campus find it unfair that they haven’t been included in the minimum wage increase. “We have high school degrees,” said Ani Garibyan, who works in the transfer center. “It isn’t fair that were not getting paid what we’re supposed to. We deserve more because we’re helping students.

“It’s unfair that we are not receiving the higher minimum wage,” said Mab Garcia, who works in the English Lab.

“It’s not fair,” repeated Juvison Fillarca, also an employee in the English Lab. “We don’t get a lot of hours to work and now we can’t even get the higher wage.”

“The government should be helping us” said Jason Ng, also of the English Lab.