The Press Democrat

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The Press Democrat

Close to Home: Higher fast-food wages pay dividends

For every $1 increase in the minimum wage, low-income households spend an additional $2,800 annually. According to the UC Berkeley Labor Center, taxpayers also benefit because of significant declines in state and federal government expenditures for food stamps, school lunches, housing assistance, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance programs.

The Press Democrat

Close to Home: Time for gig workers to unionize

A new report by researchers at the UC Berkeley Labor Center found that California rides-hailing drivers earn a median wage of $5.79 an hour without tips and $7.63 with tips. Delivery workers’ pay was even less at $4.98 without tips and $11.43 with tips — well below the California minimum wage of $16 an hour.

The Press Democrat

Close to Home: Serving up a raise for fast-food workers

According to the UC Berkeley Labor Center, more than two-thirds of California’s fast-food workers are adults aged 20 and older. Nearly 70% live in households with four or more people, and their wages contribute 40% of their family’s annual income. Two-thirds of California fast-food workers are women, 8 in 10 are workers of color, and 6 in 10 Are Latino.