chicago u.s. activists plan protest 400 cities across unite state monday labor day holiday demand minimum wage 15 hour target politicians midwestern battleground state block salary increase demonstrations back service employees international union focus hospital home care workers join fast-food janitorial staffers protest since fight 15 movement start 2012. movement help spur politicians grow number cities new york seattle minneapolis washington d.c. adopt measure time raise minimum wag 15 hour organizers also increase pressure legislatures governors particularly midwest block roll back increase increase focus politicians oppose wage increase may capture populist job-related voter discontent traditionally democratic midwest state help u.s. president donald trump win white house say dick simpson political science professor university illinois chicago minimum wage issue one issue immediately identify affect pocketbook every paycheck say republican governor scott walker presidential swing state wisconsin among target illinois republican governor bruce rauner last month veto raise minimum wage 15 2022 say would hurt employment businesses 40 hours campaign knock doors make phone call whatever take get walker office milwaukee hospital worker margie breelove say voter-engagement drive also slat begin monday seek thousands workers pledge volunteer 40 hours lead 2018 elections idea support candidates democrats state legislatures governor favor wage hike union right state iowa michigan ohio wisconsin illinois along areas outside midwest take people rig rule us back candidates prepare support agenda seiu president mary kay henry say telephone interview representatives governors wisconsin missouri illinois respond request comment friday opponents raise current federal minimum hourly wage 7.25 argue hurt businesses federal minimum wage last increase 2009. supporters increase say current level enough live help fuel need social safety-net program point study show little impact job law approve last year california set 15 target workers plan reach 2023. new york state also gradually increase minimum wage 15 hour workers cities include minneapolis also approve legislation however since 2016 eight state include alabama kentucky iowa pass laws pre-empting local wage laws accord economic policy institute st. louis minimum wage increase 10 hour recently revert 7.70 legislature prohibit cities create separate wage laws missouri governor eric greitens oppose increase labor activists target midwest politicians oppose wage increase