http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY7d9Y9g9oY&feature=youtu.be
More than two dozen protestors gathered outside the McDonald’s on Lohman Avenue in Las Cruces. They wanted higher wages for minimum-wage workers.
Volunteer coordinator with CaFé, Jerry Nachison says – for him -- the issue isn’t complicated.
“It’s very simple. People do not get a living wage and it’s time to raise it.”
A small cup of coffee at this McDonald’s is $1.08 with tax.
Would the people who want to raise the minimum wage be willing to spend more?
Rabbi Larry Karol of Temple Beth-El says he would.
“Absolutely…I would say, ‘Good for you,’ and I would pay more.”
Jerry Nachison has boycotted McDonald’s for the last year, but said he would also pay more.
“If they changed their policies, we would reconsider.”
Washington, D.C. recently raised the minimum wage there to $11.50.
California voted to increase its wage to $10 by 2016.
Right now, Santa Fe’s minimum wage is $10.51.
Jerry Nachison says he wants Las Cruces to match the state capitol.
“Santa Fe…has raised the minimum wage…that economy is thriving…. businesses.”
Organizers of the event say they picked McDonald’s as an example of all the businesses that start workers at the current state minimum wage.