One Fair Wage pushes $30 minimum wage ballot measure in Oakland
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Advocacy groups in California are pushing for a $30 minimum wage in Oakland despite research suggesting the policy shows “negative consequences” across the Golden State.
reported On March 30, One Fair Wage will launch a ballot initiative in Alameda County and the city of Oakland, where local officials are considering raising minimum wages to $30 per hour. The initiative, which will appear on the ballot on Nov. 3 this year, plans to increase the minimum wage in both the city and county.
A Fair Wage, coalition of community organizations He spoke at a news conference in Oakland on March 19, launching a campaign to raise the minimum hourly wage for companies in Oakland and Alameda County to $30.
“Working people today face an affordability crisis that is completely out of control, while billionaires and giant corporations are making record profits.” said Mike MillerHe is the executive director of the United Auto Workers (UAW) District 6, which represents the western region of the country.
RESTAURANTS HAVE WARNED PAYING CHANGES COULD INCREASE PRICES, CUT JOBS, RESHAPE THE DINING EXPERIENCE
Los Angeles has mandated a gradual minimum wage increase to $30 per hour for airport and hotel workers. The law, signed by Mayor Karen Bass last year, mandates that hourly wages increase by $2.50 each year until they reach $30 in 2028. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Large businesses with more than 100 employees earning $1 billion annually will be required to raise the minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030.
Small businesses are given more time. Businesses with 25 to 100 employees will be required to raise the minimum wage to $30 by 2035. Businesses with fewer than 25 employees will have until 2037 to phase out the minimum wage increase to $30.
“Whenever there is a downturn or serious difficulty in the economy, we end up increasing wages as an incentive,” said Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage in Center Square. “This is basically an incentive in the hands of working people who spend a much larger percentage of their income than higher-income people because they have to. It’s survival.”
California gives petitioners 180 days from the date the initiative is filed to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
RESTAURANTS HAVE WARNED PAYING CHANGES COULD INCREASE PRICES, CUT JOBS, RESHAPE THE DINING EXPERIENCE
In a study published in March, researchers found that a minimum wage increase for fast-food workers in California led to “negative consequences,” such as automation and reduced work hours. Stephen Owen of the University of California Santa Cruz noted higher menu prices, reduced hours, lost benefits and the acceleration of automation. (iStock)
But the efforts of One Fair Wage and other organizations come after research showed minimum wage mandates had negative consequences.
In a study published in March, researchers found that a minimum wage increase for fast-food workers in California led to “negative consequences,” such as automation and reduced work hours. Stephen Owen of the University of California Santa Cruz noted higher menu prices, reduced hours, lost benefits and the acceleration of automation.
Before the $20 minimum wage for fast food workers became law in April 2024, the minimum wage for workers was $16. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in September 2023 that the increase would help workers earn more as the cost of living rises.
Another study by the Berkeley Research Group found 10,700 job losses in the fast food industry between June 2023 and June 2024, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. After the new minimum wage became law, prices in workplaces increased by 14.5 percent.
Despite the findings, California officials doubled down on minimum wage laws.
Gradual increase in minimum wage Los Angeles Mandated up to $30 per hour for airport and hotel workers. The law, signed by Mayor Karen Bass last year, mandates that hourly wages increase by $2.50 each year until they reach $30 in 2028.
The Hotel Association of Los Angeles (HALA) recently made a study It found that since the Hotel Employees Minimum Wage Regulation came into force in September, hotels have eliminated or expect to eliminate 6% of positions, or about 650 jobs.
$30 MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSAL BY MAMDANI IN NEW YORK WILL ‘DESTROY’ SOME INDUSTRIES: EXPERT WARNINGS
Advocacy groups in California are pushing for a $30 minimum wage in Oakland after studies suggested the policy showed “negative consequences.” (Exelon)
One Fair Wage’s efforts extend beyond Oakland to the entire state of California and across the country.
“We are fighting to raise the minimum wage and help service workers across California improve working conditions,” the group said. he said on his website. “The cost of living is rising, but the minimum wage is not at the same level. It’s time for a living wage for all working people in California!”
One Fair Wage Starting in 2024 has advanced ballot measures to raise wages and “end multiple minimum wages” in Michigan, Ohio, Arizona, and Massachusetts. The group wants to raise the minimum wage in Illinois, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, including California.
According to its website, “One Fair Wage is mobilizing legislation and ballot measures in 25 states to raise wages and end minimum wages for millions of workers by the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America (2026) and mobilize millions of workers to vote along the way.”
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Newsom’s office did not respond Fox News Digital request for comment. Owen and One Fair Wage also did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
