Business Notes MINIMUM WAGE

Congress and President Bush both agree that the $3.35-an-hour minimum wage, which has not been raised since 1981, needs a boost. But a conflict is brewing over just how far to hike it. Had the wage kept pace with inflation, it would stand at $4.46 an hour today. Bush has threatened to veto any bill that provides a base rate of more than $4.25. Last week the House passed a measure that would gradually increase the wage to $4.55 by 1992. The Senate, scheduled to take up the issue next week, is unlikely to adopt a rate any closer to Bush's limit. Edward Kennedy, chairman of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, has sponsored a proposal that would boost the rate to $4.65 an hour.

But a compromise may be possible. Democrats initially resisted Bush's demand that employers be allowed to pay their newest employees a subminimum, so- called training wage of $3.35 during their first six months on the job. The House acquiesced but set a two-month limit on the training wage. If the Senate extends the subminimum to three months, Bush may decide to go along with a higher rate than he originally proposed.