Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there two different measures?
You may have heard that there are TWO measures on the ballot. While the measures are similar, the main difference is that our measure, 24-01, does not include tips and service charges in the minimum wage while the other measure does.
We believe that service employees should be able to keep their tips in addition to a fair wage. A business should not rely on customers to subsidize their employees’ salaries.
How will this affect my life?
If you're working at a medium to large company (15-500, and 500+ respectively), the minimum wage increase will affect you soon! Additionally, research shows a "ripple" effect that workers earning wages close to the proposed wage increase would also see an increase as well, leading to more workers with higher pay.
Higher wages also lead to more financial stability and better quality of life for low income workers.
Will it hurt local businesses?
Companies with 14 or less employees are exempt from the wage increase, while larger companies under 500 employees will have time to adjust with smaller increases over time until reaching the proposed amount.
In fact, when workers earn more, they have greater purchasing power, which can increase local consumer spending. This, in turn, can lead to higher sales for local businesses. For example, studies have found that a majority of small businesses could absorb the rise in labor costs from minimum wage increases without significant negative impacts.
Who is behind the ballot measures?
Everett Deserves a Raise is led by local volunteers who believe that all work is valuable and that everybody deserves fair wages. Our volunteers understand how hard it is to afford food, rent, and other necessities despite working full-time or even multiple jobs.
The other measure, Raise the Wage Responsibly, is funded by the Washington Hospitality Association and relied on paid, out of state signature gatherers to get on the ballot.
Won’t everything be more expensive?
Research indicates that increasing the minimum wage does not significantly affect prices. A study by the Upjohn Institute found that prices rose by only 0.36% for every 10% increase in the minimum wage, which is smaller than previously thought. Additionally, gradual and scheduled minimum wage hikes tend to have even smaller effects on prices. These findings suggest that the pass-through effect on prices is minimal, and small, scheduled increases may not lead to higher prices at all
How can I get involved?
-Become a volunteer for our campaign!
-Encourage your friends and family members to vote YES on Ballot Measure 24-01.
-Register to vote or update your voter information!
-Make a donation to help our campaign get the word out and pass the measure
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