If You Care About Workers' Rights, Demand Employers Give Livable Wages

Fight for 15, a global movement working to increase the hourly minimum wage across the U.S. to $15, championed Target's move. Fight for 15's Organizing Director Kendall Fells suggested that Target's decision will pressure other companies to follow suit.

"Target is joining a growing list of companies, including Facebook, Aetna, Amalgamated Bank, and Nationwide Insurance, that have raised pay to $15 an hour or higher," Fells told VICE Impact. "All of these victories build on each other and create more momentum for our movement, and none of it would have been possible without worker organizing."

According to Fells, this wasn't a victory won overnight. "By speaking out, marching, and going on strike, workers in the Fight for $15 have taken what many viewed as an outlandish proposition – $15 an hour– and made it the new labor standard," he said. "Thanks to the Fight for $15, 10 million people across the country are on the path to a $15 an hour wage."

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A common critique of higher salaries is that it doesn't make a difference given the rising prices of inflation, but Fell disagrees. "We know from experience that putting money in workers' pockets increases consumer demand and creates jobs," Fell said. "Raising pay for workers isn't just the right thing to do for workers – it's the smart thing to do for our economy."

Fight for 15 posted the victory for Target's workers on their Twitter account and the comment section quickly became a battleground with users on either side arguing for or against the news. Quippy online beefs aside, the conversation on changing the minimum wage is up to elected officials and business owners.

In 2009, the Department of Labor set the national minimum wage at $7.25 per hour but allows states to create their own minimum wage laws so long as they don't go below the federal limit. On a smaller scale, cities and towns have some power to dictate local minimum wages but ultimately state legislators are in control. In Missouri, state lawmakers forced city officials in St. Louis to reduce the minimum wage after they had already raised it, leaving city residents understandably upset.

Although the wage increase from Target was a huge win for Fight For 15's organizing efforts they're still engaged with other battles to ensure protections for workers. According to Fells, the members are at the forefront of the battles across the country for higher pay, unions rights, immigration reform, healthcare for all, and racial justice.

There are still challenges that Fight For 15 is currently experiencing in working to increase the minimum wage. "Politicians, big businesses and their lobbyists are still trying to keep workers down," Fells said."For example, in the Midwest politicians from state houses to governors' mansions have pushed anti-union and preemption policies that limit workers' ability to win higher pay."

"Before 2012, Iowa was the only "right-to-work" state in the region, but now there are six, as Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Missouri passed the anti-union laws," Fells continued. "In states like Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri and Illinois, state legislators and governors have blocked or rolled back minimum wage increases approved by voters and local elected leaders—including a $15/hour minimum wage passed in August by voters in Kansas City by a 2-1 margin."

Fells says that people who support raising the minimum wage can contribute to the cause in a variety of ways such as joining fast-food workers on strike lines or attending a day of action.

"The Fight for $15 now exists in over 400 cities around the country – and we're probably in a community near you," Fells said. "You can also call your city councilperson, state legislator, and member of Congress and tell them that their number one job is to raise pay and the standard of living for working people."

If you feel strongly about everyone having a livable wage and ensuring workers' rights, then the best way to make your voice heard is by sounding off at the ballot box. VICE Impact has partnered with Democracy Works on their TurboVote campaign, which makes registering to vote and finding out about elections easy. If you're not already registered to vote, here's how you can get started today.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly referred to Fight for 15 as an international non-profit when in fact it is a "global movement." We regret the error.