Posts Categorized: Legislation and Politics

Members from UFCW Locals 1 and 1500, along with community groups and other unions, participated at a rally at the New York State Capitol building in support of raising the state’s minimum wage. Hundreds of supporters rallied at the Empire State Plaza in front of a fast food restaurant to demonstrate their support for fast food workers and other low wage workers.  They then marched to the Capitol building where they called on state lawmakers to support the minimum wage hike.

The proposed bill has broad state wide public support and would raise New York’s minimum wage to $10.10 per hour in 2015. It would also link the minimum wage to inflation, ensuring that as the cost of living goes up, the wage will too. Also, counties and cities in the state would be permitted to raise their own minimum wage up to 30% above the state minimum.
   

Subway fast food worker Jacqueline Midence talks about benefits of wage increases for workers and working families.

UFCW Local 400 and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) joined together with elected officials and community supporters in Maryland to kick off a week-long education campaign aimed at bringing awareness to area employees on the new minimum wage laws, set to take effect Oct. 1, 2014. The campaign will run from June 16 through June 20.

“Jobs should lift workers out of poverty, not trap them in poverty,” said Executive Director of LCLAA Hector E. Sanchez. “While we celebrate this important victory, we recognize that Latino workers suffer more minimum wage and overtime pay violations than any other ethnic group. That is why we have joined this critical tour to ensure Latinos are not robbed of their hard-earned wages. We want to make it clear to employees and employers that paying what the law requires is not negotiable.”

In November 2013, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County were able to achieve a wage increase victory and set the tone for minimum wage increase statewide. The first increase to $8.40 per hour will be implemented by October 1, 2014, and steadily increase every year reaching $11.50 per hour by 2017. The implementation of the wage increases in these counties is higher than the state’s minimum wage, which is set to gradually increase to $10.10 by July 2018.

“I’ve worked my entire life, so I know how hard it is to try and make ends meet, especially off minimum wage,” said Jacqueline Midence, a Subway worker. “When you’re supporting your family, every cent helps you survive. The new law will help people like me live better, it will give us more hope for the future.”