THE minimum wage issue both in the federal and state governments has been long debated, and multiple legislations have been written and changed as different economic, labor and political groups attempt to raise the wage.

SEIU United Healthcare Workers West is seeking passage of a ballot measure in November 2016 that would raise California’s minimum wage by $1 a year, eventually reaching the $15 mark in six years.

California’s state minimum wage would reach $15 by 2021 if the proposed ballot measure passes. The current rate is at $9, which will rise to $10 in 2016.

The union, which represents health care workers, filed state paperwork Monday, April 27 to launch “The Fair Wage Act of 2016,” a spokesman said.

The official filing allows the group to collect signatures to qualify the full initiative to go on the November 2016 ballot.

The ballot measure plan follows a national public relations push by multiple union groups to raise wages. It also comes as Los Angeles lawmakers are actively pushing for the change.

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti is seeking to raise the rate to $13.25 by 2017, while a handful of Los Angeles City Council members want to go further and boost the minimum wage by as much as $15.25, by 2019.

Other big cities like San Francisco and Oakland have moved to hike up the pay wages.

Several business groups have opposed the plans.

SEIU-UHW’s Director of Public Affairs Steven Trossman said in a brief interview Tuesday, “We think it’s more sensible [to raise the wage] statewide than piecemeal.”

Trossman said he expected other California union groups to back the ballot measure.

“I welcome efforts to consider raising the minimum wage statewide, which like my proposal for Los Angeles, would reduce poverty and create broader economic prosperity,” said Mayor Garcetti.

(With reports from Los Angeles Daily News)

(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend May 2-5, 2015 Sec. A pg.1)