$15 minimum wage would hurt workers

California will be at a turning point come this November. Labor unions and other groups are banding together to place a $15 minimum-wage initiative on the ballot that will devastate California’s businesses and some of its most vulnerable workers.

Proponents of this measure claim that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour will help bridge the “economic disparity” in California.

In reality, a minimum-wage increase of this size would severely affect those who are supposed to benefit from the wage increase. Young and entry-level workers will be priced out of the job market in favor of workers with more experience and skills.

We are beginning to see the effects of the minimum-wage increase with fast-food chains installing automated kiosks for ordering, reducing the number of staff needed. A minimum-wage increase will trigger price hikes throughout our economy, and will cut into the bottom line of business owners, who are already struggling.

A $15 minimum wage will drive businesses of every size out of California, and decrease Californians’ buying power. Don’t be fooled, a $15 minimum wage is bad for business, bad for workers, and devastating for California.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 7:00 AM with the headline "$15 minimum wage would hurt workers."