Advocacy News – June 3, 2022
The One Fair Wage campaign announced Wednesday that they do not have enough petition signatures for their citizen-backed initiative to make the November 2022 ballot.
The group had hoped to ask Michigan voters to approve raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027 and eliminating the tip credit by 2028, thereby bringing tipped employees to a full $15 per hour wage with tips added on top.
Michigan’s minimum wage is currently $9.87 per hour for non-tipped employees. The minimum wage rate for tipped employees is $3.75 per hour, but tipped employees must make at least $9.87 per hour with tips. If not, the employer must make up the difference.
Michigan’s minimum wage increased just five months ago, and will continue to do so in responsible increments over the next several years as a result of bipartisan legislation. The Michigan Chamber is concerned that another spike in the minimum wage, especially during this period of rising costs and inflation, could lead to reduced employee hours, job losses and higher prices for consumers. What’s more, the market is already responding. The workforce shortage has employers already paying increased wages — just to keep the doors open.
The Chamber will continue to focus on ways to help job providers fully rebound from COVID impacts and workers overcome barriers to employment like ensuring affordable childcare, housing and transportation.
Please contact Wendy Block with questions at wblock@michamber.com.