The Seattle City Council has unanimously passed an ordinance to phase in a $15-an-hour minimum wage, the highest for a major city in the United States and more than twice the federal minimum. Depending on their size, Seattle businesses will have between three and seven years to implement the rise. Socialist City Councilmember Kshama Sawant, who was elected on a platform of a $15-an-hour minimum wage, spoke before Monday’s vote.

Kshama Sawant: “The attempts of business to undermine 15 will continue, well after this vote today. They may submit legal challenges. They may challenge this at the ballot. They may wait for their moment to make the temporary tip penalty permanent. But today’s message is clear: If we organize as workers, as a labor movement, with a socialist strategy, we can tackle the chasm of income inequality and social injustice. 15 in Seattle is just a beginning. We have an entire world to win. Solidarity.”