D.C. City Council made a unanimous decision to raise the minimum wage to $15, with D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser pledging to sign the measure into law in June. The step forward marked a huge triumph for unions, whose campaign to “Fight for $15” had been targeting the nation’s capital.
The movement, which began as an effort from fast-food and other minimum wage workers, has quickly progressed into a new labor standard. States such as California and New York have already agreed to implement a $15 minimum wage gradually, with Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey following along as well.
A minimum wage increase has received strong support from polls, especially since Americans have become increasingly discontent due to the decrease of well-paying manufacturing jobs and the increase of low-paying labor and service jobs. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington D.C. already has the highest minimum wage in the country.
“When I see how much it costs to live in Washington D.C. – and that cost is only going up – we know that it takes more money for every household to be able to afford to live,” Bowser said to the Washington Post.
Elise Gould, a researcher for the Economic Policy Institute, gave a testimony at a public hearing before the Council of the D.C. Committee on Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs in May. “Raising the city’s minimum wage to $15 per hour would raise wages for 114,000 working people – about 14 percent of all D.C. workers,” Gould said at the hearing.
Allie Goldsmith is one of these employees. A 19-year-old American University student, Allie works at a coffee shop on her campus. The minimum wage increase will directly benefit Allie, who has already felt the effects.
“I’ve seen my wage go up. I make $12.50 now,” said Allie. “It’s something that I’m really thankful for.” When asked about the impact it will have on D.C., Allie said, “I don’t know, inflation is a big thing. I think it will make the job market more competitive.” As a student, she is more than aware of the cost of living in D.C. “I think it’s necessary that if price of living is going to rise, salary should as well,” said Allie.
The Fair Shot Minimum Wage Amendment Act was signed by Mayor Bowser two weeks ago, but the increase will not be immediate. According to the act, the goal is to “progressively increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020, beginning in 2021 to increase the minimum wage during each successive year pursuant to the Consumer Price Index”. It will amend Living Wage Act of 2006.