Ron Unz, also a multimillionaire who has dabbled in state politics over the years, seeks to put a measure on the November ballot, which calls for raising the minimum wage to $10 an hour beginning March 1 next year, and to $12 a year later, according to the Los Angeles Times Sunday (local time).
California’s current minimum wage is $8 per hour, and the current federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Unz was quoted by the newspaper as saying that raising the minimum wage will help fight poverty, which is widespread in the U.S. state because of the high cost of living.
However, fast-food and restaurant owners, who employ minimum wage workers, oppose the move. Jot Condie, president of the California Restaurant Association, said, "There will be a loss of jobs," the L.A. Times said.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com