Celebrating DC Wage Increase, Advocates Say There's More To Do

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Celebrating DC Wage Increase, Advocates Say There's More To Do(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)The coalition of workers, business owners, faith leaders, labor organizations and community groups that in recent years has won increases in the city’s minimum wage and expanded the paid sick days law on Tuesday renewed their call to raise the tipped minimum wage and improve wage theft enforcement.

In front of the Flava Restaurant, whose owner is a supporter, the coalition celebrated the July 1 effective date of new laws that will raise DC’s minimum wage to $11.50 an hour by 2016, tie increases after that to the cost of living and close loopholes in the previous earned sick leave bill so that restaurant workers are included and all workers can use accrued sick leave after 90 days on the job.  

“We are demonstrating what can happen when we work together!” said Rev. Graylan Hagler of Plymouth Congregational United Church. “We have lots still left to do and we'll keep on fighting until all of DC's workers have access to a wage increase,” tweeted ROC-DC. After the press conference, workers and advocates canvassed businesses in the Shaw neighborhood to ensure business owners know requirements of the new laws and workers know their rights.

 

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