On Labor day, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced his plan to raise minimum wage to $13.25 by 2017. He hosted a rally attended by union workers and business owners at Martin Luther King Park in South L.A. Supporters of his bill include millionaire philanthropist Eli Broad and five councilmembers from various districts in L.A.

Herb Wesson, Councilmen of the 10th district in Los Angeles, supports Garcetti's plan. (Amanda Scurlock/Neon Tommy)

“I was raised at a time when individuals could take themselves out of poverty by working hard and getting a good education. I do not know if that’s the case today,” he said. “I think to begin this conversation about raising the minimum wage is one that I’m excited about being engaged in.”

District 10 is home to a myriad of establishments, many of which are small businesses. Pico Boulevard is no different, housing a restaurant of the well-known franchise Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, as well as small shops ranging from fashion boutiques and carpentry companies. Among the small businesses is the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice, a space frequented by the Los Angeles Worker’s Assembly. The organization shares a mission that aligns with Garcetti’s proposal. 

“When the mayor proposes $13.25 in two years, that’s about a 0.47 percent increase in wages,” said John Parker, coordinator of the Los Angeles Workers Assembly, “you have to match that against the fact the top executives are making about 127 times what they made in the last three decades.”

Like Garcetti, the L.A. Workers Assembly also advocates for low wage workers. However, the Assembly believes the mayor should raise minimum wage to $15 per hour. Parker was happy about Garcetti’s announcement, but he felt the mayor was only doing this to pacify low wage workers who have been boycotting for a $15 hourly wage.

“We’re glad that the city is finally addressing it, but we don’t think they’re doing it in a serious and responsible way,” he said. 

Parker is not the only person that sees the looming consequences of raising minimum wage. Two blocks away is the limousine company, Mona Lisa Limousine Inc. Dispatch Manager Earl Hinks once worked 24-hour shifts as a shuttle driver when he started out in the transportation industry nearly two decades ago. Now, he is on salary and works nine hours per day.

“Eric Garcetti’s plan for the $13-14 an hour sounds great,” Hinks said. “But I’m concerned how it’s going to affect actual business owners, especially small business owners.”

He forsees this increase having a negative effect on the local economy.

John Parker believes that the minimum wage should be $15 in Los Angeles. (Amanda Scurlock/Neon Tommy)

"The money is not going to flow. Business is not going to flourish. People aren't going to have jobs," he said.

The raise in wage could cause business owners to raise the prices of their goods and services in order to maintain profits. A more gradual increase in wage would be more reasonable, according to Hinks.  Parker is more focused on the eliminating poverty.

"In order to get the minimum necessities of life, you really need $15 in 2014," Parker said. "There's a lot of people who lose their children because they can't get proper child care because it's too expensive and they have to work more than one job."    

According to Wesson, he and other members of the council will introduce the legislation and seek input about the proposal from businesses while the minimum wage rage increases.

“The bill that is before you today could be different at the time that we’re actually ready to vote on it,” he said.