How a powerful rightwing lobby is plotting to stop minimum wage hikes

American Legislative Exchange Council combines litigation and legislation in two-pronged attack on 'new battleground' of workers' rights, documents reveal

A network of Republican lawmakers and their rightwing corporate funders are battling behind closed doors to block minimum wage increases in cities across the US, in a step-by-step counter-attack that could cut back the incomes of millions of Americans despite an economic upswing.

According to strategic details obtained by the Guardian, the American Legislative Exchange Council (Alec) - along with its localised sister organization, ACCE - is trying to prevent elected city representatives from raising the minimum wage to levels above those set by their states. The group has launched an aggressive dual-track mission that combines legislation and litigation in what Alec calls a "new battleground" over worker compensation.

Related: Obama talks up US recovery and urges Republicans to back higher wages