Who could have seen this coming?
(Fox News) Eating meals out in Seattle just got more expensive as tens of thousands of low wage workers got a raise this week to $11 an hour. It was the first scheduled pay increase on the way to $15 an hour, the highest minimum wage in the country.
Ivar’s Salmon House, an iconic Seattle seafood restaurant, decided to skip the phase-in period and began paying $15 right away.
It also raised menu prices 21 percent. The famous Fish ‘n Chips will run you $20.60 and the Wild Alaska Halibut is now $43.50. The restaurant also wrote on the menu, “Tipping is no longer necessary…we have changed the way we pay our employees.”
In my opinion, that last part was unnecessary, and a shot at employees. But, hey, why not go with the European model and pay a higher wage with not tipping? Telling patrons that tipping is not necessary is also a way to keep the overall cost of the dining experience down.
Fast food restaurants are taking it much slower, but they’re still charging more. One Subway in South Seattle that’s now paying workers $11 raised prices four percent.
“I don’t have a choice but to increase prices,†said Subway franchisee David Jones. “I just hope that the public rewards us for giving good service and having good food.
I think we can all visualize the Liberal response “hey, it’s just 4%. What’s the big deal?” Well, 4% here, 4% there, spread the 4% all around, and pretty soon this becomes some real money, especially as the same people who got this government mandated raise see a complementary cost of living increase.
From the Seattle school district to King County, every other public employer said it now is paying the higher wages. None would detail how they will afford the higher labor costs, but the Seattle College District listed some options. That list includes reduction in services, increase in fees/prices and eliminating services such as catering and fitness centers.
Um, surprise?
Crossed at Right Wing News.
Teach the states and cities that have minimum wages higher than Federally mandated usually have LOWER unemployment rates than the national average
I often eat at Subway in truck stops. It usually costs 6 bucks with chips and a drink. with a 4 % hike it will be 6.25 in Seattle
American businesses are showing record profits all time high profits. I WalMart and McDonalds have also agreed to raise their wages.
Running a business on hope and change.
American business has done very very well under Obama
3 million new jobs in the private sector ? No GOP POTUS has ever been able to do that
Obamacare a job killer? not with those numbers
In other news, labor participation rate tied a low not seen in 37 years. Now John, subtract 37 from 2015 and what do you get? 1978. Guess who was president in 1978.?
I live in Vancouver BC and used to drive down to Seattle every month just to hit a few great restaurants, Now they are are far to expensive. Sad.