We have to assume it is all good intentions driving for an increase in the minimum wage. The 1.6 million US workers currently earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 would likely agree. I think they should set their sights on jobs that pay even more -- like robot operator.
If the robots get to vote, they will be pushing for the increase too. Walmart alone has installed nearly 400,000 self checkout systems in the US -- and we must assume the cost justification for those machines was done at $7.25 -- the higher the comparison cost -- the easier it is to switch to robots.
We should pay front line workers more, but increased skills should be the reason instead of increasing the minimum wage 39%.