By Annette Bernhardt and Ken Jacobs Judging by the past three months, 2014 is on track to become the year of local minimum wage laws. Campaigns are under way in Richmond, Berkeley and Oakland to join San Francisco and San Jose in setting a minimum wage higher than state law. These are echoed by similar … Continue reading »
minimum wage
The unfinished march toward a decent minimum wage
It was fifty years ago the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place. The demand for a higher minimum wage was part of a package of demands seeking economic justice for workers through government intervention in the labor market. At that time, the wage floor was $1.15 and marchers were demanding a raise … Continue reading »
Here is a tip–tips aren’t always tips
Workers from Wal-Mart to Macy’s to McDonald’s have taken to the streets across the country to demand better wages and working conditions. The actions have brought to light the plight of low-wage workers and how difficult it is to makes ends meet on such low pay. Importantly, their ranks are on the rise given that … Continue reading »
This labor day … waiting for change
Did you know that the federal sub-minimum wage received by tipped workers has been $2.13 per hour for the past 22 years? No joke, it has been and it is way past due for a change. The figure shows the inflation adjusted value of the regular federal minimum wage along with the sub-minimum wage received … Continue reading »