By Kate Rogers
CNBC, Dec 31, 2015
From major cities like Los Angeles to big businesses like McDonald's, 2015 saw momentum for lifting pay above the federal level of $7.25 an hour. Effective Thursday and New Year's Day, 14 states will implement higher minimum wages through legislative action or automatic cost-of-living increases. ...
"Consumer demand and income levels have not recovered in the wake of the Great Recession and raising the minimum wage is a very effective tool in boosting consumer demand," said Alissa Barron-Menza, vice president of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. ...
Plus, small businesses have moved independently to lift pay. "Employees who are well-compensated work better and stay longer, a very important contributor to the success of my business," said Rachael Solem, president and general manager of Irving House Inn in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "It makes no sense to expect people to work who don't earn enough money for rent, food, transport or medical attention. These employees are stressed out, resentful and just not at their best," said Solem in a prepared statement. ...
With support from the White House for a higher federal minimum wage, as well as two plans from congressional Democrats to hike the federal floor to $12 and $15 an hour by 2020, expect the wage debate to intensify in 2016 on the presidential campaign trail. ...
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