That starting rate for the part timers (8 or 8.5) was stuck in limbo for over 25 years.
Back when I started the entry level part timers made 5.50 which was 2.5 times the minimum wage at the time. 3 bedroom houses were selling at 35,000 and a new car ran about 5,000 ( gas was at 35 cents a gallon), I was renting an one bedroom apartment for 135 a month all utilities included in a major city.
The equivalent today considering the cost of living would be close to 38 bucks an hour for a starting part time employee.