What are they Fighting For? The $15 Minimum Wage Movement

Featuring: Dr. Bill Kosteas
Chair, Department of Economics

In the summer of 2016 the Cleveland City Council entertained a proposal for a city wide minimum wage increase to $15 per hour, following cities like San Francisco and Seattle. In April of this year, Senator Bernie Sanders reintroduced legislation to raise the federal minimum wage hike to $15, garnering support from several Democrats. What goals do supporters of minimum wage increases hope to accomplish? How would a sudden, sharp increase in the minimum wage impact local businesses and workers? Who would benefit from a minimum wage increase?