The fight for 15 is taking off all around the country. Today organizers of 15 Now and Raise the Wage Davis (RWD) spoke about ways we can collaborate in our efforts to raise the minimum wage. Raise the Wage Davis was just formed recently, inspired by the victory of a $15 an hour ballot initiative in SeaTac and the election victory of Kshama Sawant last fall. They plan to collect 7,000 signatures by May 1 in order to get an initiative on the ballot this fall which would raise the minimum wage of all workers in Davis, California to $15 an hour.

“This is a clean citizen’s initiative. No backroom dealing, no special interest exemptions. We’re offering a living wage to everyone, period. After all, workers don’t get a special exemption from hunger. They’re not exempted from paying for rent or other basic necessities, no matter who they work for. Businesses shouldn’t get to lobby for an exemption from paying a living wage,” said RWD Co-chair Bernie Goldsmith.

Both groups are organizing for a national day of action to March for $15 on March 15. RWD is also planning to attend a national 15 Now conference in Seattle on April 26 to discuss next steps for the fight for 15 movement.