Let’s fight for a living wage for all — the facts don’t lie ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s wage board recently recommended raising the minimum wage for fast food workers to $15 per hour. CSEA, other labor unions and community organizations stood alongside fast food workers and their families in their recent fight to earn a living wage. The wage board’s recommendation will strongly improve the lives of thousands of New Yorkers, which will help all of our communities prosper. But there is much more to be done. New York, which has the highest income inequality rates in the nation, needs to ensure that no workers are left behind. While fast food workers deserve a living wage, so do thousands of other undervalued New Yorkers, including many employed in public service. There are arguments against higher minumum wages, but the facts disprove them: Argument: It’s a monstrous job killer. Facts: • Companies hire based on business needs, such as the need for extra help at Christmas time, not out of societal largess. • Most minimum wage jobs are not the type that can be shipped overseas or performed by machines. • States that have the highest minimum wages have the strongest economic activity. Argument: It will hurt mom-and-pop businesses. Fact: • Two-thirds of all minimum wage workers are not employed by small businesses. Argument: Costs will be passed along to consumers. Facts: • American taxpayers already subsidize companies that pay low wages to workers by paying in taxes the difference (in food stamps and similar benefits) between what workers are paid and what they need to live. • Labor economists have estimated that if Wal-Mart raised its minimum wage to $12 per hour (more than what is currently on the table) it would cost the company only about one-percent, (so that $10 made-in- China item would run you all of $10.10) It is also important to take steps to close the wage gap for child care workers, local government and school employees, many of whom also earn far less than $15 per hour. These workers are providing some of our most important, valuable public services, including taking care of our children, the elderly and dependent individuals, maintaining our roads, water and sewer systems, providing health care services and so much more. See President Donohue’s column on page 4. September 2015 The Work Force 5
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