On a day workers protested wages and benefits with walkouts at at least two McDonald's in Detroit, the city's two mayoral candidates had something to say about the minimum wage being too minimal.
In a press release issued Thursday, Duggan said:
“As I watched the inspiring story of fast food workers uniting to fight for fairer wages, it reinforced something that I have long believed – that raising the minimum wage is a necessary part of any plan to rebuild our city, our economy and our communities.
"I firmly believe that every worker deserves a fair wage and a chance to achieve the American Dream. Currently in the fast food industry, this is not a reality for most workers. Many are kept below the minimum hours needed to qualify for important benefits and are not paid a living wage to be able to provide for themselves and their families.
"Currently, taxpayers are subsidizing too many businesses when fast food workers remain dependent on government assistance for food, clothing, transportation, and housing. Workers should be able to stand on their own two feet by being paid a wage that lifts them out of poverty -- not keeps them mired in it.
"When it comes to minimum wage, $7.40 doesn’t work and that’s the bottom line."
Benny Napoleon
Out of fairness, we called candidate Benny Napoleon, the Wayne County Sheriff, to ask his thoughts on the minimum wage, to which he responded:
"Certainly, I do believe that the minimum wage should be increased."
