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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

Amazon announces $15 minimum wage for all US employees [cnn.com]

Amazon is raising its minimum wage to $15 an hour for all US employees. The change takes effect November 1 and applies to full-time, part-time and temporary workers. Amazon says the $15 minimum wage will benefit more than 250,000 Amazon employees, plus 100,000 seasonal workers.

"We listened to our critics, thought hard about what we wanted to do, and decided we want to lead," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder and CEO. "We're excited about this change and encourage our competitors and other large employers to join us."

The change applies to Whole Foods and all other subsidiary employees.

Amazon also said its public policy team will begin lobbying for an increase in the federal minimum wage, which has been $7.25 an hour since 2009.

See also: Bernie Sanders praises Jeff Bezos on Amazon $15 minimum wage [cnn.com]

Previously: 'Stop BEZOS' Bill to tax Amazon for Underpaying Workers [soylentnews.org]

Related: Injured Amazon Worker Describes High-Tech Dystopia Inside Texas Warehouse [soylentnews.org]

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