Engage on Min Wage - THIS Friday @ Oak Metro Chamber - 8:30-10 AM
Ready to engage on minimum wage? Then we look forward to seeing
you this Friday morning at Inside Oakland, as always the 4th
Friday of the month from 8:30-10 in the Board Room at the Oakland Metropolitan
Chamber of Commerce.
To
inform our discussion of one of the hottest policy issues of the day, we will
be joined by leaders from two of Oakland’s most dynamic sectors – non-profits
and restaurants.
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| Michael LeBlanc |
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| CJ Hirschfield |
Well-recognized
Oakland non-profit leader CJ Hirschfield of Fairyland and
widely-acclaimed restaurant entrepreneur Michael LeBlanc of Pican
will talk about what the various minimum wage proposals out there would mean to
them. City staff and the City’s economic consultant will be on hand to listen
and answer questions. We have outstanding invitations to an economist,
additional local businesses, and our local electeds. I will be there to delve
into the Oakland Chamber’s survey and work to date on the issue. Most
importantly, you all will be there to listen, learn, share your perspectives,
and engage on what this issue could mean for you and your
business, employees, and community.
Our goal is to continue forging a coalition for a regional,
sustainable, and transparent minimum wage policy that continues fueling
Oakland’s economic progress for all.
To
get us in the right mindset for a vibrant discussion this Friday, check out the
following quick bullets:
·
This
CNN article talks about how the State of Washington, which has had one of the
highest minimum wages in the country at $9.32/hour, and San Francisco, have
some of the hottest job markets. Cause or effect? An important question for us
to explore.
·
Meanwhile, in the airport town of Sea-Tac in the State of
Washington, the airport (run by the Port of Seattle, much like OAK is overseen
by the Port of Oakland) has claimed federal pre-emption and gotten excluded
from the recently voter-approved $15/hour minimum wage increase. Here’s
the story.
·
A few days ago Swiss voters rejected what would have amounted to a
US$17.50/hour nationwide minimum wage, voting 76% against. Learn more at this link.
·
The
leading national non-profit group Independent Sector has called for members to
embrace a living wage while ensuring exemptions for seasonal, part-time, and
youth employees, and also increases in private giving as well as state and
federal reimbursements to non-profit service providers so that the can pay
higher wages without compromising needed services. Press release here.
Is that the right approach for Oakland? For our region?
The
Chamber and other agencies have produced much more information to date about
this issue. If you have not already received this information and would any of
it in advance, please e-mail Isaac Kos-Read, Public Policy Consultant.
Labels: CJ Hirschfield, fairyland, Inside Oakland, Michael LeBlanc, minimum wage, oakland, pican
posted by Oakland Chamber of Commerce @ 9:19 AM
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