I believe there is a way to fashion a minimum wage bill that will acknowledge conservative concerns while advancing much of what we would like to accomplish. As such, it may be easier to pass in today's political climate, as everyone gets something.
Flexibility of part time work schedule -- as determined by the employer -- is a valuable commodity to employers as they can adjust labor to demand on a short term basis. It is VERY costly to employees, however, as they are unable to schedule other jobs, schooling, child care, etc. I see the damage this does to many in the part-time flex time minimum wage world who simply can't get any leverage to advance themselves.
I think a minimum wage bill should include a specific percent compensation over the base to compensate employees for employer flexibility. This boost should be enough to equal the hourly wage of full time employees, plus a little. This would encourage full time employment (who would be permitted to have flex scheduling, but only if compensated with a benefit package). Those individuals who can accommodate flex-part time will also be compensated for the value they extend to their employer.
Conservatives speak often of the value of low-wage part time work as training for the work force. IF they wish to continue hiring folks at the lowest hourly basis, they would have to offer consistency of schedule, so that students, elderly retired, stay-at-home moms, or anyone else can decide if they want to contract for that consistent schedule. The much-promoted after-school, or Saturday morning retail job, is the model. This lower wage consistent schedule job would be able to accommodate other reasonable pursuits - school, other jobs, home life - as perceived by employees.
This would seem to me to be a potential win-win-win for employers, employers who wish to get ahead, and individuals with extra (predictable) time who wish to be out in the marketplace as well. Compensation to fit the value added.
Just an idea. Anybody have comments about how this might, or might not, be a good idea to push?