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By Natalie Kitroeff
Los Angeles Times, July 1, 2017

More than half a million Angelenos stand to get a raise this weekend, making the city the latest testing ground in the drive to boost incomes of bottom-rung workers. ...

When the minimum wage in Los Angeles climbed from $10.50 to $12 an hour for large businesses on July 1, it marked the fourth such increase in three years, and the single largest year-over-year jump in the city’s scheduled climb to $15 for all employees by 2021. ...

Mark Rampolla, the CEO of the Los Angeles-based Beanfields Snacks, ran a paper packaging business in El Salvador for four years. He says his workers became more efficient and productive when he started handing out raises.

He is also counting on a trickle-down effect.

“We need people to have disposable income, and hopefully they will spend a little of that on chips and beverages or whatever we sell,” Rampolla said. ...

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