Report 2 低薪工人争取加薪
Wors Tips
rally n.集会v.集合 councilmember委员，议员
preliminary adj.初步的 increment n.增量，增加数
ChamberofCommerce商会 tradeunion工会
coalition n.联合，联盟 stiffcompetition 激烈的竞争
slumping adj.下滑的 automation n.自动化，自动化技术
touchscreen n.触摸屏 aspiration n.渴望，抱负
savor v.尽情享受 momentum n.势头，动力
Listen to the following recording and answer questions 1-3.
1）A.Protestors are against the 8-hour working system.
B.Low-income earners are striving for pay raise.
C.Campaigns are launched to fight for workers’ equal treatment.
D.A final vote has been made to increase the minimum wage.
2）A.They may appeal to the U.S.Chamber of Commerce and some other business groups.
B.They may rally around the country and protest against the measure.
C.They may boost the economy and help workers.
D.They may cut jobs through automation.
3）A.to shift the values of the US back to rewarding hard work
B.to increase the minimum wage from late this year
C.to increase job opportunities and cut costs
D.to make the minimum wage reach $ 15 an hour by 2020
听力原文
Protesters demanding a higher minimum wage have been rallying around the country，from New York to Phoenix.Minimum-wage workers came to Los Angeles City Hall last week as council members considered the wage increase.It was given preliminary approval Wednesday and is expected to pass a final vote June 10.
The measure will raise the minimum wage in increments starting next year，to reach $ 15 an hour by 2020.Workers for small businesses and nonprofit organizations will reach the $ 15mark the following year.
McDonald’s worker Edgar Gonzalez，a young father，said it would make a difference.
“It will mean a lot，”he said.“It will help me out with rent.It will help me out with diapers.It will help me out with having a better life.”
Former Wal-Mart worker Evelyn Cruz said the new wage would keep her from having to make unreasonable choices，such as“if I am going to pay for the roof over my head or food on the table.”
The U.S.Chamber of Commerce and some other business groups said that the measure would cost small businesses and could mean layoff instead of pay raises.But the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor，a trade union coalition，said the measure would boost the economy and help workers.
Federation official Rusty Hicks said U.S.cities are stepping in where the federal government has not.“That is why you are seeing L.A.，San Francisco，Oakland，New York and others step forward and try to address this issue on their own，”he said.
Business analyst Shon Hiatt of the University of Southern California said companies like McDonald’s face stiff competition and slumping sales，and are starting to cut costs，and potentially cut jobs，through automation.
“McDonald’s and other fast-food restaurants are moving in this direction，”he said.“You will see the emergence of these touchscreens where individuals can order their food without even having to talk with an employee.”
The drive to raise the minimum wage is spreading.Laphonza Butler of the Service Employees International Union said the goal of $ 15 an hour might be tailored to local economies and be lower in some cities and higher in others.
“The number is an aspiration and a symbol as much as anything，”Butler said.“The real goal here is to shift the values of our country back to rewarding hard work.”
As workers savor their victory in Los Angeles，they say the drive to raise the minimum wage across the United States has gained momentum.
Questions：
1.What is the report mainly about？
2.What may some companies do to react to the request for pay raise if they want to cut costs？
3.According to Butler，what is the real goal of demanding for a higher minimum wage？
参考译文
要求增加最低工资的抗议者们在从纽约到凤凰城在内的全国各地举行集会，持最低工资的工人们上周来到洛杉矶市政厅，市政厅成员正考虑加薪。于周三得到初步批准，有望在6月10日举行最终投票。
该措施将使得最低工资从明年开始增加，到2020年达到时薪15美元。小企业和非营利组织的员工们将在第二年达到15美元。
麦当劳员工埃德加·冈萨雷兹是一位年轻的父亲，他说这将对自己的生活产生重要作用。
“这件事意义重大，可以帮我付房租，让我能买得起尿布，帮我过上更好的生活。”
沃玛特前员工伊芙琳·克鲁兹说新工资将让她免于做不合理的选择，比如“是否必须支付栖身之所或是每日的食物”。
美国商会和其他商业组织称该措施可能让小企业受损，可能还会导致裁员而不是加薪。但贸易商会联盟洛杉矶郡劳工联合会称该措施将促进经济并帮助工人。
联邦官员希克斯说美国各城市正在联邦政府未能做到的地方努力，“因此你能看到洛杉矶、旧金山、奥克兰、纽约等城市在加大力度，努力自主解决这一问题。”
商业分析家南加州大学的希亚特说，像麦当劳这样面临激烈竞争和销量下滑的公司正开始削减成本，并且可能会通过采用自动化来实现裁员。
“麦当劳和其他快餐都在朝这个方向努力。你能看到有这些触屏设备出现，顾客无须和雇员讲话就能实现点餐。”
要求增加最低工资的活动在蔓延。服务业雇员国际工会的巴特勒说15美元时薪的目标是根据当地经济而定的。在一些城市会低些，在其他城市会高些。
“这个数字是一种愿望，也是一种象征。真正的目标是将我们国家的价值转向回馈给努力的工作。”
就在洛杉矶工人们品味胜利的喜悦时，他们说美国各地要求增加最低工资的浪潮势头正足。
参考答案
1.B 2.D 3.A