Join us to Phone bank for KC for $15 Thursday August 3rd at 5pm-8pm. You can RSVP HERE.

This week we are asking you to learn about the KC for $15 ballot initiative.  We also ask that you look up and see what other elections might be happening in your area next week!  You can look it up here:

If you live in KC : https://www.kceb.org/elections/

All others in Missouri: https://voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/PRD/VoterOutreach/VOSearch.aspx

The following information is provided by Communities Creating Opportunity(CCO):

Three main reasons why it’s important to raise the minimum wage:

1. All Kansas Citians who work full time should have the ability to financially provide for themselves and their families.

2. A higher minimum wage would mean more money in Kansas City coffers, which would enable the city to undertake more projects that would benefit the entire city.

3. A higher minimum wage would mean a stronger, more vibrant economy in Kansas City.

• ALL workers deserve a living wage that will provide for themselves and their families. In Kansas City, over 45% of workers earn less than $15 an hour. Too many families are struggling to make ends meet. No one should have to choose between paying for rent and paying for groceries.

• Raising the minimum wage INCREASES employment. There is no correlation between minimum wage increases and lower employment levels, according to the 22 federal minimum wage raises since 1938. Employment actually increased after 68% of minimum wage raises.

• Raising the minimum wage does NOT lead to skyrocketing prices. One year after Seattle raised its minimum wage to $15 per hour in 2015, prices in the city remained the same compared to surrounding areas, even though 62% of businesses promised they would raise prices.

• A living wage will lead to a stronger economy for all of Kansas City. Someone making low wages doesn’t have any extra money to spend. When workers have more money in their pockets they spend it at local businesses. This is why we don’t see rises in unemployment or prices after minimum wage raises. Businesses benefit and the system balances out.

• We can establish a living wage in Kansas City despite the efforts of Missouri politicians. A bill that would forbid Missouri cities from raising their minimum wages is on Governor Eric Greitens’ desk, but Kansas City’s new living wage would take effect before the ban. A legal battle may lie ahead, but it is one we can win. We will win a living wage for every worker!

Also, don’t forget to sign the Repeal Right to Work petition.  Right to Work laws such as the one passed in Missouri and signed by the Governor make it harder for working people to form unions and collectively bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions. Saturday, July 29th, 2017 there are events throughout the metro where you can sign the petition to add Right to Work to the ballot in 2018 and let Missourians decide. There are “drive thru” events where you can just drive up, sign the petition and drive away.  Find one near you at the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/StopRightToWork/events/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/MOAFLCIO/events/

References:

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/10/15/report-more-thanhalfofusfastfoodworkersneedpublicassis tance.html http://www.epi.org/publication/bp357-federal-minimum-wage-increase/

https://thinkprogress.org/half-a-million-people-with-college-degrees-are-working-for-minimum-wage-4a2d 86ea7775

http://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/the-face-of-minimum-wage-what-families-need-to-live 2 National Employment Law Project http://www.nelp.org/publication/raise-wages-kill-jobs-no-correlation-minimum-wage-increases-employmen t-levels/ http://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/Early-UW-study-of-15-wage-law-Seattle-has-not-7255658.php

http://www.epi.org/publication/the-federal-minimum-wage-has-been-eroded-by-decades-of-inaction/ http://www.epi.org/minimum-wage-tracker/