January 9, 2015

Inspiring Messages from Policymakers, Union Leaders, Workers at Summit on Raising Wages

This past Wednesday, the AFL-CIO sponsored a national Summit on Raising Wages. The summit featured a wide range of speakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and actress Piper Perabo, and was attended by the UFCW and many others who expressed the importance of higher wages for working Americans.

Senator Elizabeth Warren was a commanding presence during the event, speaking about how raising the minimum wage is imperative to decreasing inequality. “Trickle-down economics was nothing more than helping the rich and powerful get more rich and powerful,” she said.

Labor Secretary Tom Perez echoed Warren’s statements, and talked about how working together will lead to success in creating a fair system for all: “You shouldn’t have to win the geographic lottery to get a good wage.”

OUR Walmart member Colby Harris was also among the panelists, and addressed the crowd about his first hand experience living on less than liveable wages at Walmart, as well as being retaliated against by his employers when advocating for better pay.

International AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka also spoke, urging that raising wages “is not a hobby. It’s our mission. It’s a beginning, not an ending.”

He also talked about the labor federation’s plans to immediately launch #RaiseTheWage campaigns and summits in additional cities. Part of these campaigns, he also added, is the fight for state and local paid sick days and equal pay for men and women, as well as people of all races.

You can watch the entire live-stream of the event here: