Fighting for a Fair Wage — Don’t Settle For Less: $15 Now

[unhappycamper]

http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/shamus-cooke/58236/fighting-for-a-fair-wage-don-t-settle-for-less-15-now

Fighting for a Fair Wage — Don’t Settle For Less: $15 Now
Economic Equity | Worker's Rights
by Shamus Cooke | September 11, 2014 - 11:08am

Momentum is still growing for a $15 minimum wage. On August 4th 150 cities rallied for $15 and union rights, with striking fast food workers engaging in civil disobedience. Meanwhile, San Francisco voters are expected to pass a $15 referendum in November, and Seattle starts to phase in $15 on January 1st. The city of Sea-Tac, Washington has lived under $15 all year, proving false the predictions of the 1% that economic collapse would ensue.

The savvier establishment politicians understand the populist wave of $15, and are taking action to stem the tide. For example, the mayors of Chicago, New York and Los Angeles have endorsed various versions of a $13 minimum wage, though Chicago’s mayor endorsing a $13 minimum wage for only city workers in 2018 isn’t likely to quiet the streets.

While elite politicians understandably fear the growing muscle of $15, many on the political left have underestimated its strength, dismissing the movement as a fluff campaign led by opportunistic unions. This narrative includes some valid criticisms but misses the big picture entirely.

The hidden power behind the $15 demand is the unpredictable dynamic it creates. When non-activist working people are suddenly activated on a national scale, the seeds of a social movement begin to sprout.

[Joe Magarac]

1. And when some right winger says "Why $15? Why not $100?" tell them ...

Because they CAN get $15.