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riversedge

(69,727 posts)
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 03:32 PM Dec 2016

Ohio Republicans Advance Nationwide Wage-Suppression Campaign

Source: Alternet




State lawmakers move to prevent municipalities from boosting pay for low-wage workers—a growing obstacle in the Fight for $15.

By Justin Miller / The American Prospect
December 14, 2016




...................................................But there was another harsh measure in the mix that flew under the radar: a measure that would force Ohio localities to comply with state minimum-wage regulations that top out at $8.10 an hour.

The legislation aims to block Cleveland, one of Ohio’s largest and poorest cities, from unilaterally boosting wages for its low-wage workers. According to U.S. census data, 35,000 Clevelanders work full-time for less than $15 an hour, and 50 percent of those workers are black.

After the Cleveland City Council rejected a both a Fight for 15 campaign lobbying effort to pass a $15 minimum wage in August and an attempt to get the issue on the November ballot, labor advocates succeeded in securing a special election for May2017. Voters will decide whether to establish a $12 minimum wage beginning in 2018, with annual one-dollar increases up to $15 over three years and cost-of-living-indexed increases thereafter.

“It’s corporate interests like the fast-food lobby fighting to keep pay low," says Paul Sonn, the National Employment Law Project’s general counsel. “When cities take matters into their own hands, they push conservative legislators to block that, too.”
.................

The Cleveland ballot measure, and future attempts to raise minimum wages in Cincinnati, Columbus, or Dayton, would be stopped in their tracks if Kasich signs the legislation. Whether he will remains unclear, but a decision could come as early as Friday. ................
. .............

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker launched the first major Republican preemption effort in 2011 when he signed legislation that prevented localities from requiring mandatory paid sick time. .............



Read more: http://www.alternet.org/labor/ohio-republicans-advance-nationwide-wage-suppression-campaign



Article lists several Repug states with wage suppression laws already in place. The WI law was headed by ALEC!!
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guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
1. And ALEC is partly funded by the Koch brothers.
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 03:37 PM
Dec 2016

As well, the Koch brothers have established Policy Institutes in 41 of the 50 states. We have one, the IPI, in Illinois. These institutes masquerade as research institutions but their goal is to promote the Koch agenda.

rurallib

(62,346 posts)
6. Just going to point out this is an ALEC initiative
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 04:35 PM
Dec 2016

a group that meets behind closed doors with legislators in violation of every open meetings law in the country.

Their meeting in Washington DC just finished the first of December. Legislators got many 'thank you' gifts I am sure.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
8. In a Trump Presidency, or reign, this type of thing will be even more normalized.
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 06:18 PM
Dec 2016

ALEC is the law writing arm of the GOP.

Cracklin Charlie

(12,904 posts)
2. Sickening.
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 03:39 PM
Dec 2016

Actively working to prevent millions of Americans from earning a living wage.

I don't know how they can look themselves in a mirror. Or sleep at night.

I hope they only dream nightmares.

keithbvadu2

(36,369 posts)
5. Is it the socialist or communist part of capitalism that controls wages so tightly?
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 04:15 PM
Dec 2016

Is it the socialist or communist part of capitalism that controls wages so tightly?

 

Rex

(65,616 posts)
7. That is how our plutocracy works - those with the most money have the most say.
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 04:46 PM
Dec 2016

Those with the least, have no say.

DK504

(3,847 posts)
9. It never fails to amaze me
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 06:31 PM
Dec 2016

that people vote against their best interest every election, even though wages have stagnated over the past 30 years. Wow. Just Wow.

 

resistance2016

(86 posts)
10. Do people not realize how close to the edge we are???
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 10:55 PM
Dec 2016

If people thought 9/11 was a paradigm shift, they've not seen anything yet. People are going to be dead in the streets like roadkill. And they fucking voted for it.

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