EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — An increase in the minimum wage would have little immediate impact on jobs and prices in the Upper Peninsula, local experts agree. However, the increase should have the greatest impact on tourism, one of the most important sectors of the U.P. economy. Linda Nurmi, a labor analyst with the Michigan Employment Securities Commission, said some of the lowest wages in the state and nation are in lodging and restaurant establishments. Retail trade and service jobs also are relatively low income. Richard Anderson, director of Northern Michigan University’s Small Business Development Center, said service and retail captured half of the increases in the tourism industry. Manufacturing jobs, he said, would be relatively unaffected. Jobs classified as unskilled in the U.P. earn an average of $6 an hour. “Manufacturers that are paying below $6 an hour tend to already be experiencing large turnovers,” Anderson said. One eastern U.P. firm that pays low wages experiences a 400 percent annual turnover, he said. Motel and “hamburger flipping” jobs also must pay more than minimum wage to keep employees, he said.

90 years ago

SAULT STE. MARIE — Every dredge worker in the Great Lakes basin will receive an increase in pay of $15 a month. The decision was reached through an agreement made by the Dredgemen’s Union and dredging companies. Approximately 400 men who will work on St. Mary’s River this summer widening the upbound channel are affected by the agreement. Seventy-six employees of the Great Lakes Dredge Company will be affected, 40 on the drill boat, 18 on the tug. The Great Lakes Company has a chance of securing the Encampment job, bids for which are now being considered at Washington, D.C. Great Lakes submitted the low bid.