Low-Wage Workers In Milwaukee Continue Push For Higher Pay

After the state of New York raised the minimum wage for its fast-food workers to $15 per hour, low-wage workers in Milwaukee are also pushing for higher pay.

About 50 fast-food and homecare workers rallied in front of a local McDonald’s Thursday morning. Marina Dimitrijevic, the Milwaukee County Board chairwoman, said that when workers have more money in their pockets, it will help the economy grow.

“This is a path for people to get out of poverty and support their families. People should not be working full time and still live in poverty. It’s a trend going on across the nation and now it’s time for it to come to Milwaukee,” she said.

People at the rally also criticized Gov. Scott Walker for not supporting a minimum wage increase. The minimum wage increase in New York was recommended by that state’s Fast Food Wage Board. In Wisconsin, the new state budget signed by Walker removes references to a “living wage.”