Activists demonstrate for minimum wage increase in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) — Activists spoke to state lawmakers today, urging them to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. One Fair Wage held a rally at the Capitol today, displaying 600 pink aprons, each representing a thousand signatures they collected on a petition that was blocked from the ballot this fall.

The crowd was small, so opponents of the move complained that there was a lack of support from workers who actually receive tips. John Sellek, spokesman for Save MI Tips, said he has spoken to workers who are not entirely happy with the change.

“Michigan waiters and bartenders did not ask One Fair Wage to come to Michigan with millions in undeclared money to blow up the tipping system that makes them around $28 an hour,” Selleck said. “The fact that a handful of One Fair Wage employees said they flew to Michigan last night to stand outside the Capitol and speak at a rally where literally no one was in attendance shows their complete lack of support.”

The group of advocates still spoke of their excitement ahead of a state Supreme Court decision that the group expects could overturn a 2018 law and raise the minimum wage. Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage, said that with Juneteenth celebrations just yesterday, they are urging lawmakers to support the amendment, which would eliminate tipped wages, a system put in place in the U.S. after emancipation to underpay black workers in particular.

“We’re super excited,” Jayaraman said. “Michigan will be the first state east of the Mississippi to end the legacy of slavery of tipped workers being paid less than minimum wage.”

The group’s president said they expect to hear the state Supreme Court’s decision before the end of the month.