Protesters oppose Faulkner's minimum wage bill

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State Rep. David Faulkner’s bill that would create a uniform wage in the state has elicited opposition. The proposed bill, which would prevent cities and counties from setting a minimum wage for private employers, was debated in the Alabama House of Representatives today before it was set aside for recess with no vote.

A group of protesters gathered in front of Starbuck’s in Mountain Brook Village to protest the bill on Tuesday evening, chanting “10-10” and “local control.”

“By supporting this bill, it hurts impoverished and lower class people,” said Le’Darius Hilliard, president of the Jefferson County Young Democrats. “We don't know why he wants to hurt lower income people.”

Representatives from People First of Alabama, a group of people with developmental disabilities, also took part in the protest to show their support.

Faulkner said he wanted to clarify that the bill does not prevent the state from having a minimum wage but rather just requires that it be uniform and that it does not prevent cities from paying their own employees what they desire.

“I brought these bills because I believe both of them help people and I don't want to see people lose their jobs or there be less jobs for low skilled workers in Alabama,” Faulkner said in an email. “People may debate the effects of raising the mandatory wage, but the few cities that have tried this in this country have not see positive or good results from doing this.” 

Additionally, Faulkner said he has received support from business owners in Birmingham and nonprofit organizations who say they will not be able to place people in jobs if the Birmingham minimum wage takes effect.

“Fact: jobs will be lost and jobs will leave the city of Birmingham,” Faulkner said. “I don't want to see this happen to Birmingham or any city.  We need to keep a uniform minimum wage in this state, whatever that amount may be.”