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Seattle Times now reports that the declaration of victory was premature. The lead is now down to 43 votes, with about 700 votes left to count. The measure is still ahead, but by less than a 1% margin.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I think the city is going to lose in court, after reviewing part of the WA state airport act of 1945. This new $15 minimum would apply only to non-airport employees in Seatac if interpreted that the city may not impose any regulations on the airport. That would mean mostly hotel workers would benefit from the law, and fast food stores in the city but not in the airport.
"Every airport and other air navigation facility controlled and operated by any municipality, or jointly controlled and operated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall, subject to federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, be under the exclusive jurisdiction and control of the municipality or municipalities controlling and operating it."
Seatac Airport I think is the one spot where they might have made a go of it due to the 'captive customer' factor, so that would be a big blow to the $15 advocates. But Seatac was a prelude anyway. I still think they have a good chance of getting it passed in Seattle, which is their real target. I base that on the election results for Kshama Sawant.
What about the employees who were already worth $15 an hour?
Why can't I never get anybody to answer that question. What about those workers making 12,13,14,15,16,17 dollars an hour. Will they all get an equal increase per hour ( about 60 % ). They have to.
I wish someone who actually runs a small business and currently are paying their workers minimum wage would come on here and explain what would happened if they were forces to double everybody's wages? Enough with the speculations already.
Last edited by glass_of_merlot; 12-06-2013 at 08:46 PM..
SeaTac is a small suburb south of Seattle where Seattle's main airport is found. Yesterday voters approved a ballot measure enacting a $15 per hour minimum wage. Washington state already has the highest minimum wage in the U.S. (9.19/hr).
I listened to an interview of a sandwich shop owner at the airport. He said that his labor costs were going to increase by about $90,000 per year, and he has no idea where that money will come from. He expects that the Port of Seattle, which runs the airport and regulates his pricing, will have to agree to some price hikes. Right now he is required by the Port to charge prices no more than other similar businesses in the region.
I expect that some of the fast food places in SeaTac will just go away. The ones that remain will hire and keep only the most experienced and most productive workers. Teenagers, recent immigrants, people just out of prison, etc. need not apply. In effect they just tore a bunch of rungs off of the bottom of the career ladder in SeaTac, WA.
Fast food was always based on cheap food produced by more automation ;less labor with minimum skills at higher rates and massive sales. much like internet sales now gain market share. It proves that if you can offer the lowest price people will come regardless of general politics when it comes down to it.Wal Mart model was based on sales to the rich after all; nor is Amazon now.
SeaTac is a small suburb south of Seattle where Seattle's main airport is found. Yesterday voters approved a ballot measure enacting a $15 per hour minimum wage. Washington state already has the highest minimum wage in the U.S. (9.19/hr).
I listened to an interview of a sandwich shop owner at the airport. He said that his labor costs were going to increase by about $90,000 per year, and he has no idea where that money will come from. He expects that the Port of Seattle, which runs the airport and regulates his pricing, will have to agree to some price hikes. Right now he is required by the Port to charge prices no more than other similar businesses in the region.
I expect that some of the fast food places in SeaTac will just go away. The ones that remain will hire and keep only the most experienced and most productive workers. Teenagers, recent immigrants, people just out of prison, etc. need not apply. In effect they just tore a bunch of rungs off of the bottom of the career ladder in SeaTac, WA.
The stupid thing about this is, what about the person making $15 an hour already, do THEY get a comparative raise? What about the guy making $18 an hour? Actually, everyone making $15 an hour or more MORE will have just had their wages artificially deflated unless their pay is increased by an equal percentage.
It also means since costs just went up, prices go up, or businesses close down. If they close down because of this,the people you were trying to help, are hurt.
The stupid thing about this is, what about the person making $15 an hour already, do THEY get a comparative raise? What about the guy making $18 an hour? Actually, everyone making $15 an hour or more MORE will have just had their wages artificially deflated unless their pay is increased by an equal percentage.
It also means since costs just went up, prices go up, or businesses close down. If they close down because of this,the people you were trying to help, are hurt.
Except employers don't pay employees based on the percentage over minimum wage. If your boss agreed to pay you 35% over minimum wage then he would be obligated to increase your pay. If you were hired at $18 an hour, your pay would continue being $18 an hour because the increase of minimum wage to $15 would have no effect on your job, unless your boss wanted to give you a cost of living raise.
Everyone who wants $15 an hour but would only get $8 an hour somewhere else should just move to SeaTac. That would be an easy solution and no need to strike.
Everyone who wants $15 an hour but would only get $8 an hour somewhere else should just move to SeaTac. That would be an easy solution and no need to strike.
Moving is costly.
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