Seattle Raises Minimum Wages to $15/ hr

[planosteve]

Is this a good idea? If not why not?

This historic measure came after a five-month process that brought together business and civic leaders, unions and nonprofits in tough negotiations. But the real fuel for Seattle's action came from a growing unease across the United States with income inequality.

You could argue that some level of income inequality is required for our system. That inequality is tolerable, though, because it's coupled with a promise: "Work hard and you'll get ahead."

At Washington state's current minimum wage of $9.32 per hour, the highest state wage in the country, a worker still takes home far less than needed to make rent and pay the bills.

Here in the upper left corner of the country, we are taking bold steps to save the dream of an American middle class. We may be just one city, but we are providing a pathway for action in the national conversation to reduce income inequality.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/03/opinion/c ... ttle-wage/

[GFB]

Yeah..great..good idea.

Now to further fix "income inequality"..let's set a maximum wage as well.

[Sangersteve]

At the start of the year, the Seattle suburb of SeaTac raised the area’s minimum wage to $15, and the consequences are now starting to be felt. And it’s not just the unions who championed the effort, or those who still have jobs, that are feeling them.

Over the last few months, a few things have happened:

Managers have taken more responsibilities on themselves, instead of hiring more workers.

Businesses have laid off workers, or eliminated their plans to hire more.

Area parking now comes with an added “living-wage surcharge.”

Hotels have cut employee benefits, free food, and overtime.

Shocking: when bad ideas are put into place, there are consequences.

The one thing that you won’t read in any of the articles published since the law took effect are stories about businesses hiring more people. Business owners have reported a marked increase in job applications, presumably from those hoping to benefit from the higher minimum wage; but that has not translated into an increase in employment.

This, too, is predictable. Only higher-quality workers will be getting the higher-wage jobs; now that businesses have a higher floor for the wages they pay, those less qualified will not be getting hired.

[GFB]

Oh great, again..more scum on the streets.

[glenn/dallas]

I thought I heard this was to be implemented over several years, or maybe three years.

[truep]

Wait till they have to pay $10 for a McDonald's hamburger! Then they will want $25.

[planosteve]

I thought I heard this was to be implemented over several years, or maybe three years.

Yes, it will be over several years. Which should be a clue that there will be negative effects. Otherwise, why wait?

[Bob Of Burleson]

No problem — as long as the business community goes along with it. Seattle is a wealthy city and obviously the businesspeople think they can pay the $15 and still make money. If they didn't, they would balk at the amount and the city government would immediately trashcan the plan. Business is business.

[GFB]

No small businesses were in on making this decision.

[Bob Of Burleson]

No small businesses were in on making this decision.

Sure they were, and they gained five to seven years to implement the minimum wage. Also, "small" is defined at a company having fewer than 500 employees.

[planosteve]

Here is Walter Block an actual economist explaining why the minimum wage should be eliminated altogether.

http://www.wwltv.com/video?id=246265011&sec=780994

[Red Oak]

No small businesses were in on making this decision.

Sure they were, and they gained five to seven years to implement the minimum wage. Also, "small" is defined at a company having fewer than 500 employees.

So B-o-B you are in favor of pricing workers that are not worth 15 dollars a hour out of a Job ?

[Bob Of Burleson]

[/b]

So B-o-B you are in favor of pricing workers that are not worth 15 dollars a hour out of a Job ?[/quote]

I didn't say that.

[kent]

Just set the annual salary for everyone at 100,000. Solves everything.

[John in Plano]

No small businesses were in on making this decision.

Sure they were, and they gained five to seven years to implement the minimum wage. Also, "small" is defined at a company having fewer than 500 employees.

Not 100% accurate that small is fewer than 500. Franchisees are considered a big company, doesn't matter how many employess they have. Forbes said they are sueing via a trade group.

from Forbes;
Here’s what has the franchise owners bothered: Seattle’s law creates a tiered phase-in plan, under which big businesses must implement the $15 minimum wage faster than small businesses. The problem is, local franchises have been classified as big businesses, because they are part of a national organization that employs many workers in all.
and
This means a franchised hamburger chain will have to pay a higher hourly wage sooner than will the local hamburger shack — and that’s not fair, explained IFA president and CEO Steve Caldeira.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/caroltice/2 ... imum-wage/


The IFA estimates there are roughly 600 franchise business owners in the Seattle area, employing about 19,000 workers.

[GFB]

No small businesses were in on making this decision.

Sure they were, and they gained five to seven years to implement the minimum wage. Also, "small" is defined at a company having fewer than 500 employees.

Oh, gargantuan "small businesses" seem to like it?

That's probably because all of their competition..(the ones that actually PAY minimum wage)..will have it a lot tougher.

[Red Oak]

[/b]

So B-o-B you are in favor of pricing workers that are not worth 15 dollars a hour out of a Job ?

I didn't say that.[/quote]

You didn't say it but that will be one result of this nonsense.

[Mark]

Unemployment for women will go up. Why do they hate women?

Unemployment for blacks will go up. Why do they hate blacks?

See what I just did?

[ann jusko]

Has anyone been to Seattle lately? The taxes on a rental car almost double the cost of the renting it. Hotel and motel taxes are out of sight. We have chosen NOT to spend our usual few days in Seattle. I love the city but hate to be fleeced every time we go there. I can order on-line from the store in Pike's Market. We can fly straight to Vancouver.

[BigTex]

Imagine what this will do to the cost of your latte vente verde grandioso.