‘One Fair Wage and Living Wages for All’ Advocates $30 an Hour Wages – Local News Pasadena

Advocacy for a Living Wage in Los Angeles County to Advance Sustainable Development Goals

On November 18, a press conference was held by labor activists to present a new report and polling data advocating for a $30-an-hour living wage in Los Angeles County. The proposal directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The initiative, led by the One Fair Wage and Living Wages for All coalition, seeks to secure legislative action before the November 2026 elections to provide economic relief and promote sustainable urban living.

Key Findings from Supporting Research

Report on Housing and Wage Disparity

A report titled “The Rent is Too High, And The Pay is Too Low: The Intersection of Los Angeles Restaurant Workers’ Low Wages and Housing Challenges” was released, highlighting the severe affordability crisis. The findings underscore the challenges to achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which aims to ensure access to adequate and affordable housing.

• 90 percent of restaurant workers report feeling burdened by rent prices.
• Nearly 75 percent of these workers spend more than half of their income on rent.

These statistics demonstrate a direct conflict with the principles of SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work), as current wage levels are insufficient to provide a basic standard of living.

Public Support for Wage Increase

A polling memo conducted by Lake Research Partners indicates strong public alignment with the goals of the proposal. The data reveals that 58 percent of Los Angeles County voters strongly support raising the minimum wage to $30 per hour. This public backing provides a mandate for policies aimed at achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by creating a more equitable wage structure.

Proposed Policy and Implementation Framework

Legislative Goals and Timeline

The Living Wages for All coalition aims to have the proposal introduced to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in early 2025. According to Rachel Wallace, California Coalition Manager for Living Wages for All, the objective is to provide immediate relief to residents facing a continuously rising cost of living, a critical step toward fulfilling the promise of SDG 8 for all Angelenos.

Phased Implementation Strategy

The proposal includes a structured, gradual implementation to ensure economic stability and support for the business community, reflecting a sustainable approach to economic growth (SDG 8).

1. The wage increase will be phased in slowly over time, not implemented overnight.
2. The rate of increase will be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to adjust for inflation.
3. A slower phase-in schedule will be available for smaller businesses to mitigate financial impact, distinguishing them from large corporations.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations and Contribution to Social Equity

Youth and Student Workers

The campaign emphasizes the disproportionate impact of low wages on young people. Kaia James, a student at Cal Poly Pomona, noted that individuals aged 16 through college often survive on minimum wage, forcing them to choose between covering basic necessities and investing in their future. This situation directly undermines SDG 4 (Quality Education), as financial instability creates a significant barrier to educational attainment and perpetuates intergenerational poverty, conflicting with SDG 1.

Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

The initiative also addresses the economic challenges faced by formerly incarcerated workers, a key demographic struggling with economic insecurity. Rachel Wallace, a PhD student at UC Berkeley, highlighted that a living wage is essential for successful reintegration into the community. By providing economic stability, the policy supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and contributes to the objectives of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by addressing systemic factors that can lead to recidivism.

Conclusion: Los Angeles as a Leader in Sustainable Urban Development

The Living Wages for All coalition posits that Los Angeles County has an opportunity to set a national precedent for addressing the cost-of-living crisis. By adopting a $30-an-hour living wage, the county can make significant progress toward achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), thereby fostering a more equitable and sustainable future for all its residents.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • The article focuses on the struggle of workers, particularly those earning minimum wage, to afford basic necessities due to low pay and the high cost of living in Los Angeles County. The campaign for a “$30-an-hour living wage” is a direct effort to combat poverty by ensuring incomes are sufficient to cover essentials like housing.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The central theme is the push for a “living wage,” which is a core component of decent work. The article discusses raising the minimum wage, ensuring fair compensation for workers (especially in the restaurant industry), and promoting economic security. It addresses the need for policies that provide relief to workers and allow them to have a sustainable livelihood.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • The article highlights the disproportionate impact of low wages on specific groups, including “young people from ages 16 through college” and “formerly incarcerated workers.” By advocating for a universal living wage, the campaign aims to reduce income inequality and improve the economic inclusion of these vulnerable populations who are “often the ones surviving on the lowest wages.”

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The article explicitly links low wages to the housing crisis in an urban area. The report title, “The Rent is Too High, And The Pay is Too Low,” and the finding that “nearly 75 percent [of restaurant workers] reporting they spend more than half of their income on rent” directly address the challenge of affordable housing in Los Angeles County. The proposed wage increase is presented as a solution to make the city more livable and sustainable for its residents.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

   • The push for a living wage is a direct strategy to lift workers out of poverty. The article describes how current wages are insufficient to “cover basic necessities,” placing workers in a state of economic insecurity that aligns with national definitions of poverty, especially in a high-cost area like LA County.

2. Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.

   • The proposal to raise the minimum wage to $30 an hour is an effort to ensure “decent work” where pay is sufficient for a reasonable standard of living. The article’s specific mention of the struggles of “young people” and “formerly incarcerated workers” connects directly to the target’s emphasis on inclusivity for all segments of the workforce.

3. Target 10.1: Progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average.

   • Raising the minimum wage is a policy tool aimed squarely at increasing the income of the lowest-paid workers, who constitute the bottom of the income distribution. The proposed phased-in increase from “$17.87 to $30 an hour” is a clear mechanism to achieve this target.

4. Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.

   • The article establishes a direct link between inadequate wages and the inability to afford housing. The statistic that “90 percent of restaurant workers feel burdened by rent prices” and that many spend over half their income on rent highlights the lack of access to affordable housing. The wage increase is framed as a necessary step to address this housing affordability crisis.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Proportion of income spent on housing

   • The article provides a specific indicator of housing stress by stating that “nearly 75 percent [of restaurant workers] reporting they spend more than half of their income on rent.” A reduction in this percentage would be a clear measure of progress towards Target 11.1 (affordable housing) and Target 1.2 (poverty reduction).

2. Minimum wage level

   • The proposed increase of the minimum wage to “$30 an hour” serves as a direct, measurable indicator for Target 8.5 (decent work). Progress can be tracked by monitoring the phased-in increases from the current wage level towards the proposed goal.

3. Consumer Price Index (CPI)

   • The article mentions that the wage increase would be “tied to the Consumer Price Index.” The CPI is a formal economic indicator used to measure inflation and the cost of living. Using it to adjust wages is a mechanism to ensure that pay keeps pace with living costs, directly measuring progress towards maintaining a “living wage.”

4. Public support for wage policies

   • The polling data cited, where “58 percent of L.A. County voters strongly support raising the minimum wage to $30 per hour,” acts as a social indicator. It measures the political and social will to implement policies aimed at reducing inequality and poverty, reflecting progress towards creating an enabling environment for achieving the SDGs.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: localnewspasadena.com