But, when your union contracts use minimum wage as the base for their calculations, it's far easier to advocate for raising the minimum wage than it is to negotiate a higher multiple, etc.

The contract for the cleaners in my office[1], for example, starts its base wage calculations by adding $0.50 to the minimum wage. All the increases and adjustments begin at that number.

[1] http://www.seiu32bj.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/2015-CAD-...