Berkeley's minimum wage rises to $10 an hour

BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- Berkeley's minimum wage increase Wednesday is just the first in a series of approved hikes for workers.

Luis Longares was making $9.50 an hour working the overnight shift at a 7-Eleven in Berkeley. As of Wednesday, he now makes $10 an hour, thanks to the city's minimum wage increase.

"I'm looking forward to it. It's more money in my pocket, more money for child support and more money to have left over," Longares said.

He said he's grateful the city council voted to help people like him, but says it's hard to stretch $10 an hour in the Bay Area.

"With the way things are going now, taxes are going up, everything's going up, $10 is not as much as it used to be back in the day," he said.

Small business owners say this isn't a burden they can handle.

Claudia Hunka said her small shop can't absorb the costs and she will probably have to pass some of it on to her customers. Her hope is that the community can look at the big picture.

"I understand that people need to make a living wage, and we do agree with that because we all need to make a living, but as small independent businesses we are struggling to make a living," Claudia Hunka said. "Why aren't we looking at what's available as far as reasonable housing for people?"

Union leaders in Berkeley say they aren't done fighting for low wage earners.

Pete Castelli, Executive Director of SEIU 1021, said he thinks the minimum wage should increase to $20 an hour.

"If you look at the Bay Area, it's hard to make an argument that business isn't booming and the workers should share in that boom. The people who wash dishes, clean your streets and do all the tasks to make this a nice place to live, they deserve to make a minimum wage Castelli said.

In a year, Berkeley's minimum wage will go up to $11 and in another year it will increase to $12.53. Union leaders would like get a $15 minimum wage put on the ballot.