Organizers of Michigan One Fair Wage met in Lansing Tuesday afternoon and had a message for the state legislature—keep the minimum wage initiative on the November ballot.
Michigan One Fair Wage is a ballot initiative that 400,000 signatories signed onto to get it on the ballot to raise the minimum wage to $12-an-hour over the next several years. State Republicans are considering adopting the initiative before the November ballot in order to amend it later. Specifically, removing the $12 minimum wage that tipped employees would receive.
“We’re not going to let the GOP break the law,” One fair Wage Campaign Manager Peter Vargas said.
He says the group is prepared to file a lawsuit against lawmakers, and that the move by the state legislature would be unconstitutional.
Opponents and restaurant owners have complained about the initiative. They say paying tipped workers $12 an hour would hurt the economy, raise menu prices, and put some establishments out of business.
The State Legislature returns from summer break Wednesday.
