Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced the six members of the committee selected to review current minimum wage rates for all industries in American Samoa covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal wage and hour law. Such committee hearings, which are conducted every two years, are open to the public. This year's hearing is scheduled to begin on June 16, 2003, in Pago Pago, America Samoa. Committee members represent the public sector, employers, and employees.

Brent Schwenke, who will serve as chair, and Paramount Chief Faumuina Tagisia'ali'i will serve as public representatives. Schwenke has been the vice-president of the Bank of Hawaii in American Samoa since 1991 and is a member of the Rotary Club of Pago Pago, the Chamber of Commerce and the board of directors of the American Samoa College Research Foundation. Paramount Chief Faumuina is the titular head of several families as well as a village representative. He has served as a village mayor and in American Samoa's House of Representatives.

Joseph M. Pereira and Malcolm E. Stockwell will serve as employer representatives. Pereira has served as president of Pacific Development Corporation since 1989. Prior to entering the private sector he provided 10 years of service to the American Samoa government, holding the positions of director of Economic Development/Tourism Office and director of the Department of Human Resources. Mr. Stockwell presently serves as a consultant to the U.S. tuna industry. During his 28-year career with StarKist, he served as general manager of StarKist Samoa from 1976 to 1980.

Serving as employee representatives will be Bryan Powell and Ande M. Abbott. Powell is currently a business agent for the Pacific Northwest region of the Seafarer's International Union of North America. His responsibilities include all customary services provided to members of labor organizations including contract negotiations, grievance and arbitration procedures and political and community outreach activities. Abbott is assistant to the international president of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers. He also serves as director of legislation and director of the Shipbuilding and Marine Division.

The FLSA provides that special industry committees may establish rates in American Samoa below that required on the mainland. The current mainland minimum wage is $5.15. After holding public hearings to review local economic conditions, including hearing testimony from interested parties, the committee will determine whether Samoan industry minimum wage rates - currently $2.57 to $4.09 an hour - should be increased or should remain at current levels. The committee cannot recommend that wage rates be decreased.

Based on its findings, the committee will recommend to the Labor Department the highest rate for each industry that will not substantially curtail employment and will not give industries in the territory a competitive advantage over similar U.S. businesses not in American Samoa. These recommendations will be published in the Federal Register and take effect l5 days after publication.

The FLSA provides for minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping and child labor standards and is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Labor Department's Employment Standards Administration. Copies of the recently released, Economic Report: The Minimum Wage in American Samoa, 2003, may be obtained by calling the Wage and Hour Division at 202-693-0541.

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