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Advocacy groups in California are calling for a $30 minimum wage in Oakland despite a study suggesting the policy has shown “negative effects” across the Golden State.
It was reported on March 30 that One Fair Wage is launching a ballot initiative in Alameda County and the city of Oakland as local officials consider raising their minimum wage to $30 an hour. The plan – which will appear on the November 3 ballot this year – plans to raise the minimum wage in the city and county.
One Fair Wage is part of a coalition of civil society organizations that spoke at a news conference in Oakland in March. 19 launched a campaign to raise the minimum wage to $30 an hour for companies in Oakland and Alameda County.
“Working people today are faced with the problem of not being able to pay costs that are completely out of control, while billionaires and big companies are making huge profits,” said Mike Miller, director of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 6, which represents the western region of the country.
KNEES WARN OF CHANGES IN LINES THAT COULD RAISE PRICES, CUT JOBS, AND HIT THE FOOD INDUSTRY AGAIN.
A phased minimum wage increase in Los Angeles authorized up to $30 an hour for airport and hotel workers. The law was signed into law last year by Mayor Karen Bass, mandating that their hourly wages must be raised by $2.50 each year until they reach $30 by 2028. (Kirby Lee/Images)
Large businesses with more than 100 employees making $1 billion a year will have 2030 to raise the minimum wage to $30 an hour.
Small businesses are given more time. Businesses employing between 25 and 100 workers will have until 2035 to raise the minimum wage to $30. Businesses with fewer than 25 employees will have until 2037 to raise the minimum wage to $30.
“Every time there’s a downturn or a big challenge in the economy, eventually, we raise wages as an incentive,” said Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage in Center Square. “It’s an incentive in the hands of working people, who spend a much larger percentage of their income than high earners because they have to. To survive.”
California gives petitioners 180 days from the date the petition is filed to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
KNEES WARN OF CHANGES IN LINES THAT COULD RAISE PRICES, CUT JOBS, AND HIT THE FOOD INDUSTRY AGAIN.
Researchers have found that raising the minimum wage in California for fast-food workers has led to “side effects” such as automation and reduced working hours, according to a study published in March. Stephen Owen of the University of California Santa Cruz cited higher menu prices, reduced hours, lost benefits, and accelerated automation. (Stock)
But One Fair Wage and the efforts of other organizations come after research shows that the minimum wage mandate has negative consequences.
Researchers have found that raising the minimum wage in California for fast-food workers has led to “side effects” such as automation and reduced working hours, according to a study published in March. Stephen Owen of the University of California Santa Cruz cited higher menu prices, reduced hours, lost benefits, and accelerated automation.
The minimum wage was $16 before the $20 minimum wage for fast food workers became law in April 2024. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in September 2023 that the increase will help workers earn more as the cost of living rises.
Another study by the Berkeley Research Group found that there are 10,700 jobs lost between June 2023 and June 2024 in the fast food sector, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prices in higher education institutions increased by 14.5% after the minimum wage became law.
Despite the findings, California officials doubled down on minimum wage laws.
A phased increase in the minimum wage Los Angeles authorized up to $30 an hour for airport and hotel workers. The law was signed into law last year by Mayor Karen Bass, mandating that their hourly wages must be raised by $2.50 each year until they reach $30 by 2028.
The Hotel Association of Los Angeles (HALA) recently he approved the study found that hotels have eliminated or expect to eliminate 6% of positions, about 650 jobs, since the Hotel Worker Minimum Wage Ordinance went into effect in September.
NYC $30 MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSAL PUSHED BY MAMDANI ‘SINGABLITERA’ SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES: PROFESSIONAL
Advocacy groups in California are calling for a $30 minimum wage in Oakland after a study found the policy showed “negative effects.” (Exelon)
One Fair Wage efforts extend beyond Oakland and across the state of California and the nation.
“We fight to raise the minimum wage and help service workers across California improve their working conditions,” the group said on its website. “The cost of living is going up, but the minimum wage isn’t stopping. It’s time for a living wage for all working people in California!”
Beginning in 2024, One Fair Wage advanced ballot measures to raise wages and “eliminate the minimum wage disparity” in Michigan, Ohio, Arizona and Massachusetts. Including California, the group wants to raise the minimum wage in Illinois, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
According to its website, “One Fair Wage is submitting legislation and ballot measures in 25 states to raise wages and end the minimum wage for millions of workers — and inspire millions more to vote in the process — by the United States’ 250th Anniversary (2026).”
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Newsom’s office did not respond Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Owen and One Fair Wage also did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
