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jaysunb

(11,856 posts)
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 09:39 PM Mar 2016

Deal reached to boost California's minimum wage to $15 and avoid ballot box battle

Source: L A Times

Los Angeles Times | March 26, 2016 | 6:18 PM


Lawmakers in Sacramento have struck a deal with labor unions to raise California’s minimum wage, avoiding a costly campaign over an initiative on November’s statewide ballot.

Read more>>


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-minimum-wage-deal-20160326-story.html

49 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Deal reached to boost California's minimum wage to $15 and avoid ballot box battle (Original Post) jaysunb Mar 2016 OP
Great news for California! MrsKirkley Mar 2016 #1
There is only one problem Baobab Mar 2016 #34
what do you suggest as an alternative? hopemountain Mar 2016 #45
CC: Hillary Rodham Clinton JonLeibowitz Mar 2016 #2
^^^ hay rick Mar 2016 #3
BCC: so no one can see it please tomm2thumbs Mar 2016 #5
It's not as ambitious as HER plan, sorry to tell you.... MADem Mar 2016 #14
Sorry, nothing from her plan indicates it would take immediate effect. Even the legislation Bernie JonLeibowitz Mar 2016 #16
By the time CA gets fifteen, the federal minimum wage will be there, too, I suspect. MADem Mar 2016 #18
If the presumed Democratic nominee doesn't even support a federal $15 wage JonLeibowitz Mar 2016 #19
I am hopeful that the twelve buck minimum wage will build a few increases in that will MADem Mar 2016 #20
Flipside is that those who don't drive (cities, where cost of living is higher) see more inflation JonLeibowitz Mar 2016 #22
I've seen fuel prices impact the price of groceries and clothing and so forth. MADem Mar 2016 #26
Some cheeses may not be a good proxy for MA purchasers, given VT's proximity. JonLeibowitz Mar 2016 #27
I am a cheesophile, I fear! MADem Mar 2016 #40
Hillary, minmum wage and interns greymouse Mar 2016 #47
This isn't a plan, it's in motion Lordquinton Mar 2016 #24
Let's see what her coattails drag in... nt MADem Mar 2016 #25
Actually no... Silver_Witch Mar 2016 #28
I think she wants increases built into that twelve dollar floor--in six or eight years, we'd be in MADem Mar 2016 #41
Des câbles récemment divulgués par WikiLeaks révèlent que : des usines Levis et Hanes ont combattu, Baobab Mar 2016 #35
What's your point? MADem Mar 2016 #39
Yay! passiveporcupine Mar 2016 #4
I think that is called being on the right side of history tomm2thumbs Mar 2016 #6
Being in California... Silver_Witch Mar 2016 #29
California elections beltanefauve Mar 2016 #31
Yes, best not to pump up turnout and best not to give the voters too much information bemildred Mar 2016 #46
Good news - and cost effective common sense. blm Mar 2016 #7
Ok, good news but kinda slow IMO. TDale313 Mar 2016 #8
It's really slow incrementally Hydra Mar 2016 #15
Yeah, I agree with that and am really glad it's happening. TDale313 Mar 2016 #17
Ya, but it's also out of control in other places too Hydra Mar 2016 #21
Yep, agreed on all counts. n/t TDale313 Mar 2016 #23
I am thrilled to hear this. n/t. airplaneman Mar 2016 #9
I was hoping to have it on the ballot to increase turnout Starry Messenger Mar 2016 #10
who the hell would hire me? CountAllVotes Mar 2016 #11
I wish someone would CountAllVotes Silver_Witch Mar 2016 #32
I'm not "wanted" CountAllVotes Mar 2016 #48
Now WA OR and Cali!! Whoooo hooo! nt fun n serious Mar 2016 #12
This will happen over the course of the next six years, mind you. MADem Mar 2016 #13
Not that big a deal Silver_Witch Mar 2016 #30
They have to build in a grace period madville Mar 2016 #33
7 years Silver_Witch Mar 2016 #36
He's not even president yet the influences of Bernie's Revolution are as the trembling of the earth. Kip Humphrey Mar 2016 #37
Anything Over $10.10 Would Be Damaging corbettkroehler Mar 2016 #38
Hillary will be pissed. ForgoTheConsequence Mar 2016 #42
I'm sorry, this is bullshit.... mike_c Mar 2016 #43
K&R! TeamPooka Mar 2016 #44
There is no question why the Rs would go for this idea. If jwirr Mar 2016 #49

Baobab

(4,667 posts)
34. There is only one problem
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 12:16 AM
Mar 2016

Right now we're negotiating a trade deal and it includes a lot of cross border trade in services, which means guest workers.

its entirely possible that the higher of the two countries minimum wage might apply (or maybe no minimum wage applies) the people coming and working would be highly skilled nurses, teachers, It workers, etc.

Raising our minimum wage now might be like waving a red flag in front of the WTO. In the past when El Salvador tried to do something similar, it resulted in some kind of back channel letter from WTO that prohibited them from raising it.

WTO might even get rid of our minimum wage entirely. As its a subsidy and we're a developed country and WTO dogma basically says that only LDCs should be allowed to maintain "non conforming measures" wage subsidies are seen as protectionism and one of the core parts of WTO dogma is that protectionism is bad.

I totally disagree with all this, i am just trying to illuminate people in this thread to the fact that the US is kind of an island in a sea of the rest of the world and our framing and our news is wildly different and certain things, all this being one of them are just not reported here at all ever. And that is the real world and the world we live in is fake.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
14. It's not as ambitious as HER plan, sorry to tell you....
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 10:58 PM
Mar 2016

Here's her plan:

Raising the minimum wage and strengthening overtime rules. Hillary believes we are long overdue in raising the minimum wage. She has supported raising the federal minimum wage to $12, and believes that we should go further than the federal minimum through state and local efforts, and workers organizing and bargaining for higher wages, such as the Fight for 15 and recent efforts in Los Angeles and New York to raise their minimum wage to $15. She also supports the Obama administration’s expansion of overtime rules to millions more workers.



Federal minimum--twelve bucks an hour, NOW.


CA goes from ten bucks to ten fifty under this scheme. Then a buck a year till they hit fifteen. Clinton wants twelve bucks now, and work forward to fifteen.




JonLeibowitz

(6,282 posts)
16. Sorry, nothing from her plan indicates it would take immediate effect. Even the legislation Bernie
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 11:05 PM
Mar 2016

has proposed would be phased in over a period of years. That is the way to minimize the possible negative effects on the business community.

Also by phasing the minimum wage in over a period of years, as both plans likely would, a $12 minimum wage is even less than people think due to the eroding effects of inflation.

Heck, she doesn't even support a $15 minimum wage CA statewide, only large cities like LA (per her plan).

MADem

(135,425 posts)
18. By the time CA gets fifteen, the federal minimum wage will be there, too, I suspect.
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 11:08 PM
Mar 2016

All Roads, it would seem, eventually Lead To Rome.

JonLeibowitz

(6,282 posts)
19. If the presumed Democratic nominee doesn't even support a federal $15 wage
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 11:10 PM
Mar 2016

and her term lasts until 2025 then I suspect CA will get there first.

by the way: all roads lead to a $15 wage anyway. The question is how fast, and whether we get there faster than inflation.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
20. I am hopeful that the twelve buck minimum wage will build a few increases in that will
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 11:14 PM
Mar 2016

get them close--if not there--in six years. Eight, tops.

So far, gas prices are keeping inflation low. I am not a Big Driver, but even I have more disposable income, not having to pay George Bush's UK prices for gasoline!

JonLeibowitz

(6,282 posts)
22. Flipside is that those who don't drive (cities, where cost of living is higher) see more inflation
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 11:18 PM
Mar 2016

Everyone has their own personal rate of inflation. If you buy only gas and consumer electronics you have seen quite a bit of deflation these past years. Otherwise, not so much.

And oil/gas prices are often cyclical, so we'll see an inflation spike if and when that turns around. Not sure that will be any time soon, mind you, Iran is coming online soon.

I'd like to see the minimum wage track the CPI. Then we can have real discussions about what the real minimum wage should be without this talk about inflation and unexpected inflation eroding our plans. "Giving Americans a raise" only means something in the context of purchasing power is what I mean.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
26. I've seen fuel prices impact the price of groceries and clothing and so forth.
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 11:29 PM
Mar 2016

After all, those goods aren't teleported to the shops.

My baseline item is CHEESE. Cheese got way more expensive under Bush, it's gone back down under Obama.

Prices in the grocery store seem to be doing pretty good. Hell, in MA, even the price of wine has dropped slightly!

JonLeibowitz

(6,282 posts)
27. Some cheeses may not be a good proxy for MA purchasers, given VT's proximity.
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 11:46 PM
Mar 2016

(random, but that reminded of the Thank you for Smoking scene with the VT Senator refusing to apologize for his state's artery-clogging cheese)

In general, those are reasonable proxies for inflation I suppose.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
40. I am a cheesophile, I fear!
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 01:31 AM
Mar 2016

Greek feta, Italian mozzarella (made from water buffalo milk, sometimes smoked, and imported), manchego from Spain...and English cheddars. So these are "travellin'" examples.

I won't turn my nose up at a decent Cabot from VT, or domestic cheeses from WI, either. These have experienced the same fluctuations in price, as well. Enough to be noticeable.

I've seen other products come down in price as well--not just dairy, but I do notice ice cream is down a bit, and holding. Once summer comes, it'll probably pop up a bit--but still not as much as in the Bush years.

Shit was pricey under Porgie. I'm glad he's gone.

greymouse

(872 posts)
47. Hillary, minmum wage and interns
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 08:42 AM
Mar 2016

Hillary, who with Bill has raked in over $100 million since leaving the White House, does not fully support the $15 minimum wage for hard working people. ($100 million vs. $15 an hour!!!!!) She does not pay her interns a nickle.

Does anyone who plans to vote for her understand now why so many people plan to vote for Bernie??

Lordquinton

(7,886 posts)
24. This isn't a plan, it's in motion
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 11:21 PM
Mar 2016

How is Clinton going to get a 12$ minimum through the Republican Congress? If she's already starting at 12 it's going to get negotiated down.

 

Silver_Witch

(1,820 posts)
28. Actually no...
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 12:01 AM
Mar 2016

She wants $12 now - whenever now is (I think Congress has to approve) and then she want ' through state and local efforts, and workers organizing and bargaining for higher wages" NOT HER efforts ours. Clinton does realize that most states have been doing everything they can to gut or destroy unions doesn't she?

It would be swell if minimum wage was $15 NOW.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
41. I think she wants increases built into that twelve dollar floor--in six or eight years, we'd be in
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 01:43 AM
Mar 2016

the same place.

It would be "swell" to just up the minimum to fifteen, but it won't happen. Cost of living in places like Mississippi or Alabama or Kentucky is much less than NY or LA or SF. There are enough states where steep pay rises "NOW" would cause a shock to the economy and not in a good way. And those legislators from those states just aren't going to vote to support it. It'll die in committee if a demand like that is made.

There's a reason why CA is doing it incrementally. It's an impossible "sell" otherwise.

The sad truth is this--you have to sneak up on the legislature, and force them to eat the elephant one bite at a time. Give 'em a good fork and knife, and maybe a little hot sauce and catsup, and they'll eventually have the meal.

Baobab

(4,667 posts)
35. Des câbles récemment divulgués par WikiLeaks révèlent que : des usines Levis et Hanes ont combattu,
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 12:20 AM
Mar 2016

Des câbles récemment divulgués par WikiLeaks révèlent que : des usines Levis et Hanes ont combattu, avec l’ambassade des É.-U., l’augmentation du salaire minimum en Haïti

MADem

(135,425 posts)
39. What's your point?
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 01:19 AM
Mar 2016

There's no caucus or primary in Port-au-Prince, n'est pas?

That said, while wages in Haiti don't need to be fifteen bucks an hour, that same amount a day is what is needed to support a family of four, more or less. Different economies, different requirements.

I support living wages for people around the globe.

That said, those living wages, if they're cheaper than American wages, will still have the effect of pulling industry offshore. That's just the way business operates.

If you think they're ever going to start making Hanes or Fruit of the Loom underwear in USA without robot workers, you can dream on. Ain't happening.

 

Silver_Witch

(1,820 posts)
29. Being in California...
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 12:03 AM
Mar 2016

I think it is actually to keep people away from the polls. They balanced a huge turnout to vote for (or against this measure) and the fact it would result in a huge voter turnout in California in November.

So they passed it - we will see how far it goes.

beltanefauve

(1,784 posts)
31. California elections
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 12:09 AM
Mar 2016

I think our turnout in CA will be big in the fall with or without a state minimum wage on the ballot. Barbara Boxer is retiring and we will most likely have a cannabis legalization initiative on the ballot as well.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
46. Yes, best not to pump up turnout and best not to give the voters too much information
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 07:31 AM
Mar 2016

about their own power, should they choose to use ti.

TDale313

(7,820 posts)
8. Ok, good news but kinda slow IMO.
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 09:55 PM
Mar 2016

Won't be $15 an hour til 2022? 2023 for businesses under 25 employees? Well, I imagine many cities will go faster. Some already are moving that way. Even $15 an hour is not a living wage in the Bay Area.

Hydra

(14,459 posts)
15. It's really slow incrementally
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 10:59 PM
Mar 2016

But the fact that they are doing it and calling it a $15 minimum wage increase will help the movement. IMO, once the momentum increases and the people blocking it get out of the way we could see it happen faster.

Keep in mind also that support is growing for a guaranteed minimum income. That would be a superior option and could replace the minimum wage need we currently have.

TDale313

(7,820 posts)
17. Yeah, I agree with that and am really glad it's happening.
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 11:06 PM
Mar 2016

Just- cost of living (particularly housing) in parts of this state is out of control. That's the real problem and not sure the answer.

Hydra

(14,459 posts)
21. Ya, but it's also out of control in other places too
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 11:16 PM
Mar 2016

Where I live in Utah, food and housing prices have basically doubled. Low income housing is a joke- it's just a small bit lower than market. Meanwhile, minimum wage is still $7.25. It's not unusual for people to have 2 full time jobs and then side gigs on top of that.

It's a Libertarian wet dream and a nightmare in progress. They refused to do the expanded medicaid here, so one of my old co-workers is slowly dying. She's a single mom with 2 kids and they have to come first.

It drives me nuts when the smug people here on DU act like everything is fine, and if it's not, they aren't working hard enough. That used to be a Republican shtick.

Starry Messenger

(32,342 posts)
10. I was hoping to have it on the ballot to increase turnout
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 10:00 PM
Mar 2016

but can hardly begrudge just getting it done. Yay!

 

Silver_Witch

(1,820 posts)
32. I wish someone would CountAllVotes
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 12:14 AM
Mar 2016

I feel for anyone looking for work. So many people out of a job and really wishing they could have one. Fingers crossed you find a job soon.

CountAllVotes

(20,854 posts)
48. I'm not "wanted"
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 09:26 AM
Mar 2016

Hard to find anything at all when you have a medical problem.

Oh well ... it could be a lot worse and I must remind myself of this fact every day.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
13. This will happen over the course of the next six years, mind you.
Sat Mar 26, 2016, 10:45 PM
Mar 2016
According to a document obtained by The Times, the negotiated deal would boost California's statewide minimum wage from $10 an hour to $10.50 on Jan. 1, 2017, with a 50-cent increase in 2018 and then $1-per-year increases through 2022. Businesses with fewer than 25 employees would have an extra year to comply, delaying their workers receiving a $15 hourly wage until 2023.

Future statewide minimum wage increases would be linked to inflation, but a governor would have the power to temporarily block some of the initial increases in the event of an economic downturn.


This was a smart move by Governor Brown. This is the direction that we're going, anyway. The mandatory nature of it will pretty much keep pace with the economy. Of course, if there's a major upturn and the economy really gets cracking and there's a competition for workers, wages will rise even without government mandates. That said, this will give a measure of relief to low wage workers over time--especially in CA, where some things are quite expensive.
 

Silver_Witch

(1,820 posts)
30. Not that big a deal
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 12:07 AM
Mar 2016

It keeps minimum wage from being $15 per hour until 2023...that is 7 years. What good will that do as prices keep increasing.

It was a move by the legislature to delay and stop the massive turn out of voters in California in November. They are terrified that people would vote it in to start right away instead of sometime in the future that might never come.

madville

(7,397 posts)
33. They have to build in a grace period
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 12:15 AM
Mar 2016

so the corporations can have time to figure out how to automate all those minimum wage jobs before the deadline.

 

Silver_Witch

(1,820 posts)
36. 7 years
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 12:21 AM
Mar 2016

should be long enough. Me I refuse to use any of those automated stations at grocery stores or food outlets. Even at my medical center - I simply refuse.

corbettkroehler

(1,898 posts)
38. Anything Over $10.10 Would Be Damaging
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 12:26 AM
Mar 2016

Remember that criticism of $15 by a certain presidential candidate?

Oh, by the way, Bernie can win California!

mike_c

(36,214 posts)
43. I'm sorry, this is bullshit....
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 02:18 AM
Mar 2016

$15 an hour in 2022 and for employees of small businesses not until 2023. By then, $15 an hour will likely be the poverty wage that $7.25 an hour is today.

People who work full time need a living wage TODAY, not five years from now. $15 and a union.

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
49. There is no question why the Rs would go for this idea. If
Sun Mar 27, 2016, 10:58 AM
Mar 2016

it is put on the November ballot every one of the working poor would be there to vote and the Democrats would have a huge victory.

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