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The push for a true living wage-not $8.25, not $9.50, not $10.10, but an hourly wage of $15-wants to go national.

Following the victory of a $15 established hourly wage in the Washington state city of Seatac in November, coupled with the win of Kshama Sawant who ran for Seattle City Council as a Socialist Alternative candidate and a growing national movement led by low-wage retail and fast-food workers, organizers behind the
‘15Now Campaign‘ think the moment is now right to connect those across the country who are boldly calling for such an increase.

“Good jobs are disappearing while the wealthiest 1% are taking an unprecedented share of the national income,” says Sawant who plans to fight for the $15 wage in Seattle where newly elected Mayor Ed Murray has also endorsed the idea.

“Nobody should have to struggle on poverty wages just to satisfy big corporations’ endless thirst for profits,” she continued. “Fast food and low wage workers are rising up demanding a $15/hour minimum wage. Let’s unite in the Fight for $15 and win an historic victory for working people.”

In statement announcing their new campaign, organizers said they will focus on Seattle as an immediate testing ground, but consider their push a national one.

“A $15 minimum wage in Seattle will set an example that working people and unions across the country would likely be inspired to follow,”  the campaign said in their official announcement. “In order to counter the resistance from corporate America, 15now.org appeals to people to get involved and join the fight. At 15now.org, people can donate $15/month, add your name to a list of endorsers, and sign up to volunteer.”

The group plans to hold an initial rally in Seattle on Sunday, January 12th to publicly launch their campaign but acknowledges real progress will only come if they can help “build a massive grassroots campaign with local neighborhood and campus groups, town hall meetings, mass rallies, and strikes.”