Workers who gathered Thursday in San Diego County as part of a nationwide protest to raise minimum wage say they want to see California implement a $15 minimum wage immediately.
Union, fast food, home care, child care and other workers met at San Diego State University.
California is one of two states in the U.S. with a $10 minimum wage. State lawmakers joined New York legislators in being the first to approve a statewide $15 minimum wage to be phased in over the next few years.
However, the group that gathered at SDSU said they want to see the $15 minimum wage implemented now.
Owners of small businesses say they are considering cutting staff or raising prices to help cope with labor cost increases.
Low wages force workers to rely on public assistance which costs taxpayers $7 billion a year, protestors claim.
