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What I’ve Been Reading This Week


Pardon the brief note this week, but I found myself tied up with a few projects that left me with little time to page through articles.  With that being said there are two updates n a minimum wage and labor law related topic that are worth highlighting.  I encourage readers to take a few minutes and page through these two updates.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


Hawaii: The First State With an $18/Hour Minimum Wage Rate?

As The Maui News reported earlier this week, the Hawaii Legislature approved legislation that will raise the state’s minimum wage rate to $18/hour by 2028.  The bill now goes to the desk of Governor David Ige who has previously indicated he supports a $18/hour wage rate.  Within 6 years time, Hawaii should have the highest minimum wage rate.  However, with some states having a plan in place to increase wage rates with inflation, it is possible that by 2028, other states will have an $18/hour (or higher wage rate.)


Starbucks to Hike Wages & Offer Additional Training For (Some) Workers

As Amelia Lucas at CNBC reports, Starbucks has announced that it will hike wages and offer increased training for its workers.  However, a caveat exists:  Those stores that have voted to unionize will not see these changes.  For those wondering why these unionized stores will not realize the same benefit as those stores which have not unionized, it is quite simple.  Those stores that have unionized have a union that must negotiate any changes in the condition of employment (such as wage hikes).  Starbucks cannot unilaterally impose these changes without bargaining with the union.  For the time being, this is one way that Starbucks is attempting to fight back against the growing unionization sweeping its company.

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