Description: As union power wanes in the United States, Los Angeles unions representing hotel workers are joining with other activist groups to lobby for an increased minimum wage.

Source: The New York Times

Date: 11/22/2014

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/business/how-a-coalition-pushed-for-a-hotel-workers-minimum-wage.html?_r=0

Related links:

• LAANE
• Hotel Association of Los Angeles
• Minimum wage rates in Canada
• Earlier update
• Vancouver mayor urges increased minimum wage

Questions for discussion:

• The New York Times story says activists have found it “hard to win through the traditional way of unionizing.” Why do you think this is?
• What are the advantages to unions of joining coalitions like LAANE?
• What are the disadvantages?
• Do you think something like LAANE would be successful in Canada? Explain.
• Have you ever worked in a minimum wage job? If so, how do you feel about what you were paid?