MSNBC: Industry groups wage PR battle to defend low wages

[Omaha Steve]

CHANGING AMERICA, 5/5/15, 10:14 AM ET
Why low wages are costing you money

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/industry-groups-wage-pr-battle-defend-low-wages

05/05/15 03:47 PM—UPDATED 05/05/15 06:15 PM

By Zachary Roth

As the movement to raise pay for low-wage workers has gained momentum, it’s often seemed to meet little resistance. Nationwide rallies last month in support of a $15-an-hour minimum wage drew largely positive news coverage, and furthered a sense that the campaign’s opponents were being overrun.

But more quietly, well-connected industry groups have been responding to the threat. Over the last year, influential Beltway trade associations, pro-business lobbying groups, and their allies have been honing talking points in an effort to sway the debate in their direction. These groups know that they don’t necessarily have to win over a majority of the public—only generate enough controversy to ward off action by policymakers.

Still, at a time of rising concern over inequality and slow wage growth, they’re facing stiff headwinds. Several states, including deep-red Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota—raised their minimum wage at the start of the year, and Seattle and San Francisco recently went all the way to $15 an hour. Congressional Democrats last week introduced a proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $12 an hour, with “enthusiastic” support from the White House. Hillary Clinton has signaled that the need to reduce inequality and give struggling low-wage workers a boost will be a major focus of her campaign. Even Republican presidential hopefuls have been made to address the issue. And a study released last month by the University of California, Berkeley found that low wages cost taxpayers more than $150 million per year.

But above all, powering the campaign have been compelling personal stories offered by low-wage workers in the fast-food and retail sectors of trying to get by—and in some cases, support kids—while making poverty wages.

FULL story and video at link. Related: Low-wage workers’ massive show of strength

[roguevalley]

1. how do you do this? I just don't know how you can sell slavery as good.

[hifiguy]

2. "Slavery is freedom" is gonna be the next Chamber of Commerce

ad campaign.

[Skidmore]

3. You get by with it as long as workers won't revolt

and consumers won't join them.