Just as Barack Hussein Obama demanded everyone have ObamaKare — and then exempted the Executive branch and its employees as well as his “good friends” (read: campaign donors) like GE and various labor unions — so Fornicalia Leftists want a $15 an hour “working wage” exemption for themselves.

From the UKGuardian.com:

LA unions call for exemption from $15 minimum wage they fought for

by Jana Kasperkevic

Union leaders say measure could allow for better deals between businesses and labor, with benefits making up for potential lower wages

Los Angeles city council will hear a proposal on Tuesday to exempt union members from a $15 an hour minimum wage that the unions themselves have spent years fighting for.

The proposal for the exemption was first introduced last year, after the Los Angeles city council passed a bill that would see the city’s minimum wage increase to $15 by 2020. After drawing criticism last year, the proposed amendment was put on hold but is now up for consideration once again.

Union leaders argue the amendment would give businesses and unions the freedom to negotiate better agreements, which might include lower wages but could make up the difference in other benefits such as healthcare. They argue that such exemptions might make businesses more open to unionization.

Did you focus in on that last sentence?  This is a Leftist move to increase the size of labor unions — which have been diminishing over the years and with that diminishment, their power and influence — and is nothing more than a naked power grab under the guise of being conciliatory to businesses.

Let us not forget that Fornicalia Leftist Governor Jerry Brown signed a $15 per hour minimum wage increase just this month, saying with rare clarity and candor that the increase is a stupid economic move.

Economically, minimum wages may not make sense. But morally, socially, and politically they make every sense because it binds the community together to make sure parents can take care of their kids.

Catch that word “politically”?  That’s BrownSpeak for “it’ll help me get re-elected and make me look good for future jobs.”

Was there a reaction to the exemption?  Of course there was.

“It’s pretty hypocritical for unions to push a $15 wage law and then exempt themselves from the policy,” Matt Haller, senior vice-president of communications and public affairs at the International Franchise Association, said.

Considering the outcry, Hicks issued another statement last year saying that issues were “in need of further review”. He also pointed out that other cities in California, including San Jose, Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Long Beach have included similar clauses exempting unions in their wage bills.

You see the difference?  Everyone else must conform to the law but unions are exempt.

Also at issue are the expanding “right-to-work” laws, which say that no employee can be required to pay any portion of union dues if they do not want to.  Absent those laws, unions are otherwise “closed shops”

Further, the Leftist Paradise known as Seattle is currently dealing with its own minimum wage increase issues.  It loses jobs and employees whilst surrounding King County benefits by picking up businesses.  Its employment is rising just as Seattle’s is decreasing.

What?  American Leftists being hypocrites?

Perish the thought.

BZ