Portland fights for $15 Now

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Signed articles do not necessarily represent the views of Socialist Action. These are expressed in editorials. Socialist Action is edited, Subscribe to Socialist Action PORTLAND, Ore.—On June 11 the activists from the recently formed “$15 Now PDX” group entered the city council meeting. They had been rallying outside Portland City Hall prior to the 9:30 a.m. meeting, and when an official saw them enter the building he told them they would have to sit upstairs. But he quickly backed off as he was told there was clearly room on the main floor, and they filed in with their signs.

The activists were there to give testimony and to present the council with 1000 names of Portland residents who wanted them to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. The current minimum wage in Oregon is $9.10.

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The activism in Portland started when Nick Caleb decided to run against a long-time incumbent city council member, Dan Saltzman. Caleb is a professor at Concordia College and an environmental activist who also picked up the banner of $15 minimum wage. While he lost the election, his activist campaign left behind energized workers to continue the fight for $15. During his campaign they started weekly rallies called “Living Wage Wednesdays” outside City Hall.

On June 11, Justin Norton Kersten, co-founder of $15 Now in Portland, presented the council with 1000 signatures of people who want them to raise the minimum wage. In his testimony he noted the escalating cost of living in Portland. Rent and grocer­ ies up 4.5% and 3.5% respectively last year. This fol­ effectiveness of mass action. the establishment of a workers’ government, and the fight for socialism.

• Ashland, Ore.: damonjure@earthlink. net The $15 Now group is working to broaden their co­ alition as they continue to get names of supporters. They have been active in solidarity work with the La­ borer’s International Union (LiUNA) local 483, which represents city workers.

The workers at the Portland Zoo are working to raise the minimum wage in Portland, and they have put it on the bargaining table for workers at the zoo. They recently had a solidarity action at the zoo called “Zooladarity.” Advocates of a $15 minimum wage helped give out thousands of stickers, which were worn by z00 staff and patrons.

In addition, the SEIU 503 Lavender Caucus, who had created a leaflet about why $15 minimum wage is an LGBT issue, invited $15 Now to join and march in the Pride At Work contingent. Their presence en­ ergized the march, and they got some new members. They know that they must build a broad coalition to win this fight, and they seem to be up to the task. n • Portland, Ore.: (503) 233-1629 [email protected]

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