Labor regulations and unintended consequences
There has been a lot of comment over the past month or so about the scheduling issues faced by part-time workers. Steven Greenhouse wrote in the New York Times: As more workers find their lives upended and their paychecks reduced by ever-changing, on-call schedules, government officials are trying to put limits on the harshest of […]
23rd of July 2014
Port of Seattle increases compensation for certain airport workers
In 2013, SeaTac approved a $15 minimum wage (and other employment policies) for certain hospitality, transportation, and airport workers. Subsequently, a King County Superior Court judge “ruled that the city of SeaTac does not have the authority to set workplace rules within Seattle-Tacoma International Airport because the aviation hub is owned by the Port of […]
States should preempt the ability of cities to set their own minimum wage
Blue metros – like Seattle, San Francisco, and NYC – are the new darlings of the progressive left. That’s the theme of my column today. The wave has been building for more than a decade. But elections of liberal mayors like Ed Murray in Seattle and Bill De Blasio in New York City give it […]
7th of July 2014
Some businesses pay more than the minimum wage — should they all?
The New York Times has a story about a few fast food restaurants that pay their workers above the minimum wage. Higher compensation means these restaurants can better compete for the best workers: Scott Newman, the restaurant’s manager, said that Boloco’s above-average pay enabled him to pick from among many talented job applicants, adding, “When […]
12th of June 2014
Seattle may yet vote on $15 minimum wage; San Francisco will vote on one in November
The Puget Sound Business Journal explains how Seattle voters may still see a minimum wage issue on the November ballot. As we wrote yesterday, some business leaders felt pressured by the possibility of a $15 charter amendment. While there cannot be a charter amendment in even-numbered year, an initiative is still possible. San Francisco voters […]
11th of June 2014
After getting Seattle to take the $15 leap, minimum wage activists seek second lemming
Fresh from their victory with the Seattle City Council, backers of a $15 minimum wage want to take the campaign to other cities. Homecare workers are also angling for a $15 minimum. In my column today, I urge caution. No need for any one to rush to be the second lemming. There’s a natural experiment […]
3rd of June 2014
Seattle adopts a $15 minimum wage. Now what?
As expected, the Seattle City Council yesterday unanimously adopted a $15 minimum wage, hewing close to Mayor Ed Murray’s proposal. They did this, as the Seattle Times reports, without knowing what the consequences will be. “No city or state has gone this far. We go into uncharted territory,” said Seattle City Council member Sally Clark […]
31st of May 2014
Seattle's minimum wage law should recognize franchises are small businesses
The Seattle Times offers some good editorial counsel to the Seattle City Council. Noting that the $15 minimum wage ordinance treats franchises as big business, the Time points out that the decision makes little no sense. [There are] 1,700-some independent franchisees operating in the City of Seattle. In addition to fast-food franchises, these are businesses offering […]
27th of May 2014
Speaker Frank Chopp in Publicola: "My goal is to pass an increased statewide minimum wage."
Publicola asked House Speaker Frank Chopp if he regretted not moving Rep. Jessyn Farrell’s proposed $12 statewide minimum wage last session. They publish his response here. This is the crux, but you’d benefit from reading it in context. My goal is to pass an increased statewide minimum wage for Washington workers and families. I am […]
23rd of May 2014
Seattle's $15 minimum wage: Buyer's remorse before the sale
Even as it was being announced and celebrated by some members of his income inequality committee, the political leaders acknowledged the Seattle mayor’s $15 minimum wage proposal would undergo tweaking before it was adopted by the city council. Remember Councilmember Nick Licata’s comments about legislators liking to get their “fingerprints” on such things. There’s been […]