News & Analysis of Economic, Racial, Gender Justice and More

FEATURING FANNY VELASQUEZ – The massive national retailer Target recently announced a wage increase for its employees, deciding to pay them a minimum of $11 an hour starting next month and increasing to $15 an hour by 2020. The company, which employs more than 300,000 people had already increased its entry-level hourly wage from $9 to $10 last year.

About a third of all first jobs held by Americans are in the retail sector. Target’s wage increase follows Walmart’s announced raise two years ago. Labor rights groups around the country, particularly Fight For 15 have relentlessly organized for higher wages for low-wage workers.

Fanny Velasquez, McDonald’s worker who has organized workers in her store for 4 years. She is a Fight for 15 leader, and her sister works at Target. They both live with their parents and four children in South LA.

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