Some great news today out of my home town of Pittsburgh, PA:
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, to coincide with the national "Fight for $15" strikes and marches today, issued an executive order that will require city employees to be paid at least $15 an hour.
The order, which will be phased in over five years, will affect about 300 city employees, ranging from laborers to clerical workers, the city said today in a news release. That's about 10 percent of the city workforce. Most city employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
"This city was built by working people," the mayor said, flanked by several dozen fast-food and other service workers at a news conference. "Nobody who puts in 40 hours should have to live in poverty."
The affected city workers will be given a boost to $12.50 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2017; $13.75 an hour on Jan. 1, 2019 and $15 starting Jan. 1, 2021.
While I may live in Los Angeles now, Pittsburgh is still my home town. My family lives there and I go back every year for the holidays and yes I am a die hard Steelers, Pirates and Penguins fans. You can take the Yinzer out of the Burgh but you can't take the Burgh out of the Yinzer.