Group working to raise AZ minimum wage to $12 an hour

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - A Phoenix-based organization has filed paperwork with the state and was given the go to start collecting signatures for an initiative that would raise Arizona's minimum wage to $12 by 2020.

Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) is kicking off their campaign called 'Arizonans for Fair Wages and Healthy Families' and are hoping to land a spot on the upcoming November ballot.

The group needs 150,642 signatures from registered voters by July 7.

"This came out of years of organization and working with workers to better their pay and better their quality of living," said Tomas Robles, campaign manager and co-executive director of LUCHA. "This is a reflection of the need for the state of Arizona to treat their workers better."

So how will it work?

The rate would go up to $10 an hour next year, then up to $10.50 in 2018.

In 2019, the rate will go up to $11 and then to $12 by Jan. 1, 2020.

Arizona's current minimum wage is $8.05.

Robles, a Tucson-native and an ASU graduate, said the group is working with a wide range of volunteers and are optimistic about the outcome.

"We're going to have to hustle but we think we'll be successful," Robles said.