Survey shows Seattle doesn’t want $15 Now

by The Charlette Report

This GSBA survey of businesses only showed 9% support an immediate implementation of a $15 minimum wage.

I believe the $15 minimum wage campaign had good intentions at the start but disregarding job loss is irresponsible. Now the $15 minimum wage debate is hemorrhaging Seattle.

The GSBA Greater Seattle Business Association put out their survey results March 13 from small businesses which make up over 70% of the establishments in Seattle. I don’t believe small businesses have been given the voice they deserve and this survey the review and weight that it deserves in the media, given after all that the devil may be in the details. So let me grab my pitchfork and take a stab at this. There have been numerous surveys conducted to date by both sides of the $15 minimum wage debate, but I believe this is one of the largest surveys for small businesses in Seattle.

“Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), (as an LGBT chamber) has always supported equality in the workplace and is one of the only chambers to include social justice in its mission. GSBA agrees that everyone should earn a decent wage. Given the challenges faced by small business, it is important that any changes in the minimum wage be done responsibly.”

“GSBA took the lead in convening, coordinating and analyzing a survey with an informal group of over a dozen neighborhood business organizations.”

Interesting Survey points:



60% prefer a phase-in of three years or longer [Should the minimum wage be increased]

51% disagreed that an increase in minimum wage would help inequality, rather that factors such as affordable housing and child care would have the greater impact.

51% of businesses surveyed would decrease their employees. (Ouch!)

25% of the surveyed businesses indicated that the increase in minimum wage would effect location decision.

11% wrote in to reject any implementation [of a minimum wage increase] at all. (Why disrupt already the largest minimum wage in the nation right?)

(Why disrupt already the largest minimum wage in the nation right?) Only 9% supported an immediate implementation of a $15 minimum wage.

Many employers commented that they would be less likely to expand their business in Seattle as opposed to another city, less likely to start a new business in Seattle, and more likely to close a Seattle location.

We are already hearing from small businesses that they are holding off on making current and future lease decisions. At least one business owner on Capitol Hill has already retired early due to an impending minimum wage increase.

No Fat Cats, just Small Businesses

The survey included results from 18 neighborhood district chambers including the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, Chinatown/Intl. District, Rainier, Phinney and Wallingford as well as the GSBA which has over 1,000 members. Now is it likely this survey of which 86% have been identified as smaller than 10 employees may have included some large “fat cats” or so called 1% businesses…but not likely because these neighborhoods mostly have small businesses that join their local chambers and I’ve found out over the last decade working with businesses that any survey that runs across the desk of any large chain business is usually not filled out and if handed on up the chain (unlikely) takes weeks and months to return.

From the GSBA website:

“Neighborhood Chamber Alliance Releases Results of Small Business Minimum Wage Survey An informal group of business organizations representing small business throughout the city of Seattle has completed a survey of its respective members regarding an increase in the minimum wage. Who are these businesses? Over a dozen neighborhood business organizations distributed the survey, with 251 employers completing the questionnaire. Reflecting the memberships of the neighborhood chambers, 86% of the employers surveyed have 10 or fewer employees, with over half employing fewer than 5 people. The sectors with the largest proportion of respondents included Retail, Food and Beverage (34%); Professional Services (24%); and Healthcare (11%). What are potential impacts of a $15 minimum wage? Common responses include recognizing the need to do more for those workers earning the least, as well as deep concerns about a hasty implementation of a large, across-the-board increase in the minimum wage. 59% of the small businesses estimate an increase in operational costs greater than 6%, with 25% estimating an increase greater than 20%. The main consequences raised by respondents include: Employers expressed concerns that, for $15/hour, they would have to favor more experienced and self-sufficient job candidates and would no longer be able to spend as much time training inexperienced workers just entering the workforce while at the same time not being able to maintain their current level of staffing. The increase in costs would, in many cases, necessarily be passed on to the consumers. A higher base wage could make the provision of benefits such as healthcare too expensive for some employers, forcing the employees to purchase their own healthcare and potentially resulting in a decrease in purchasing power even with the higher wage. Many employers commented that they would be less likely to expand their business in Seattle as opposed to another city, less likely to start a new business in Seattle, and more likely to close a Seattle location. Regarding a potential policy on the minimum wage, 83% of small businesses employers agree that total compensation should be taken into account. The additional compensation and benefits that employees receive most often include healthcare (59%), bonus (55%), tips and commissions (41%) and retirement benefits (28%).

Should the minimum wage be increased, 60% prefer a phase-in of three years or longer and an additional 11% wrote in to reject any implementation at all. Only 9% support an immediate implementation of a $15 minimum wage. There was not majority support for any of the proposed exemptions, although 49% supported exemptions for small business. 37% believe that no business or organization should have an exemption. Respondents had little support for exemptions for contractors (8%), workers under collective bargaining agreements (10%), human services organizations (13%) or nonprofits (22%). Responses were received from members of the following business organizations:

Aurora Merchants Association, Ballard Chamber of Commerce, Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area, Columbia City Business Association, Fremont Chamber of Commerce, Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA), Green Lake Chamber of Commerce, Madison Valley Merchants Association, North Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce, Phinney Neighborhood Association, Rainier Chamber, South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce, U District Partnership, Wallingford Chamber, West Seattle Chamber, West Seattle Junction Association, and the 15th Avenue East Merchants Association.” “GSBA is committed to the idea that much more needs to be done to address issues of affordability in Seattle, as well as ensuring that big changes are made in a responsible manner to keep the lights on in our community businesses.”

9% is 9%



I respect small business owners and what they say. No way am I going to challenge any business in the Chinatown / Intl. District which runs some of Seattle’s oldest restaurants. Deep Respect. No matter how you slice it, it appears Seattle doesn’t want $15 Now. 9% is not a majority.

Good Intentions gone Awry

I believe the $15 minimum wage campaign had good intentions at the start but disregarding job loss is irresponsible. Now the $15 minimum wage debate is hemorrhaging Seattle.

Already Seattle has three organizations and a recall announced with their own campaigns to essentially counter an immediate $15 wage increase with their own plans. (If I forgot any or there are new organizations, please let me know.)

That reminds me of a time when Boeing was at a low point. If somehow an immediate $15 minimum wage is implemented, um, “Will the last one leaving Seattle please turn out the lights?

GSBA Survey

[Disclosure: Charlette is not a member of GSBA but is a member of the non affiliated Broadway Business Owners Association on Capitol Hill. The Charlette Report can be reached at seattlecharlette@gmail.com]