The FightFor15 movement has become a pivotal campaign in the United States, advocating for the increase of the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Launched in 2012 by hundreds of fast food workers in New York City, the movement has since galvanized a broad spectrum of workers, from retail employees to childcare providers, who have united under the banner of demanding livable wages. The movement is predicated on the belief that anyone working full time should not have to live in poverty. According to the National Employment Law Project, the early protests of the movement have since expanded, impacting over 26 million workers and leading to $68 billion in raises due to minimum wage increases at the city, state, and company levels.
A critical aspect of the FightFor15 movement is its focus on economic justice, particularly for low-income and minority communities. Studies by the Economic Policy Institute reveal that raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour could benefit over 30% of African American workers and close to 26% of Latino workers. This demographic focus highlights the intersectional nature of the campaign, addressing both economic and racial inequalities. The push for a higher minimum wage is also seen as a step toward closing the gender wage gap, since women disproportionately represent lower-wage workers.
Legislatively, the movement has seen varied success across the United States. As of now, eight states, including California and New York, have passed laws that will gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Furthermore, many individual cities, such as Seattle and San Francisco, have already implemented similar ordinances. These changes often came after vigorous campaigns and public pressure from FightFor15 supporters, showcasing the power of grassroots organizing. The movement also underscores the role of state and local governments in setting economic policy when federal action stalls, as seen with the stagnation of the federal minimum wage, which has remained at $7.25 since 2009.
However, the movement faces significant opposition from various business groups and some economists, who argue that increasing the minimum wage could lead to higher unemployment rates and greater automation. The Congressional Budget Office's report estimated that raising the federal minimum wage to $15 could result in 1.3 million Americans losing their jobs, although it would also lift nearly one million people out of poverty. These conflicting perspectives highlight the complex economic debates surrounding wage policies. Despite these challenges, the FightFor15 continues to advocate, aiming to transform the lives of low-wage workers across the country and striving to achieve a standard of living that reflects the true cost of living in a modern economy.