Remember during the Occupy Wall Street protests, there were many activists demanding a $20 minimum wage? Many of us laughed at those people and we assured ourselves that such a number would never come into existence because there would be devastating economic consequences. Well, here we go.
The Berkeley, California city council is considering a proposal to adopt a $19 minimum wage, which would be the highest in the country. It was recommended for consideration by the Berkeley Labor Commission.
A $19 per hour minimim wage would be gradually implemented by 2020. Phase-ins are a typical move by politicians because when jobs are lost, business shut down and budget shortfalls happen they want to distract us from the original horrific policy decision.
Whatever the case, a $19 minimum wage in Berkeley would be the highest in the country.
“It is the view of the Commission on Labor that these amendments are necessary for a functional and fair minimum wage policy for the City of Berkeley,” the proposal states. “Furthermore, that such a policy is necessary for a healthy economy and for the ongoing welfare of the community.”
Moreover, the proposal wouldn’t just be related to the minimum wage. The initiative would also consist of automatic raise increases to meet the cost of living beginning in 2021. The commission would further force employers to incorporate a new system of mandatory sick leave.
In what may be a comment in jest, the commission says there will be zero economic problems.
“In the short term, the primary possible impact of these recommendations would be an increase in the amount of City Staff time spent on implementation and enforcement,” the proposal claimed. “In the long term, the City is predicted to directly benefit from the increase in tax revenues brought about by the elevated levels of consumer spending that occur when low-wage workers are lifted out of poverty.”
This minimum wage proposal would make Kshama Sawant blush!
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