The new Seattle minimum wage has sparked a huge debate among the city’s residents, who are highly affected by this change. On the one hand, some people are benefitting greatly from this change, earning more money but working fewer hours.
However, the opposite end shows people earning less than they used to and working more hours to earn a good amount of money. Therefore, there has been a lot of debate about this new minimum wage since it went into full effect earlier this year.
The New Controversial Seattle Minimum Wage Law
The new Seattle minimum wage law was implemented in May earlier this year. It was part of the city’s “PayUp” initiative, created to ensure that gig workers such as DoorDash and Uber were paid high wages. However, at $26.40 per hour, some Seattle residents are not pleased.
This law has been controversial ever since it was announced, but some had hopes that it would benefit everyone when it is implemented. Sadly, that is not the case because it has become even more controversial, with many workers complaining bitterly.
Critics Say the Seattle Minimum Wage Law Is Not Beneficial
Since the law went into full effect, it has been criticized by many people, including Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. These critics argue that the new minimum wage was doing more bad than good, causing hurt for both workers in the city and its economy.
Many local businesses that use food delivery services, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash, have been struggling to make ends meet because of the higher costs that came with the increase in the minimum wage. They also claim that many of these gig workers earning $26.40 per hour earn less money with more hours worked, thanks to the new law.
Local Businesses and Workers Are Struggling Due to the Seattle Minimum Wage Law
Local businesses and workers also complain that they are struggling under the new Seattle minimum wage law. The businesses have reportedly lost millions of dollars in revenue as fewer orders are placed on DoorDash and UberEats. Since fewer orders are placed, these businesses have seen a huge drop in deliveries and income. The same goes for workers, as there are now fewer delivery opportunities for workers as well.
The delivery service apps also complain about the new legislation, as the companies struggle to absorb the higher labor costs. They raised the prices of their services to match the costs, but that only reduced the volume of their orders.
ALSO READ: Popular Fast-Food Chains Raise Prices Following Minimum Wage Increase
Supporters Applaud the Seattle Minimum Wage Law
While many people are complaining about the new Seattle minimum wage law, others fully support and applaud the law. These workers claim that the new wage has increased their pay, and they no longer have to work for many hours.
Some have even claimed their incomes have doubled thanks to the new law. In addition, their work-life balance has greatly improved because they no longer have to work long hours. Therefore, they are grateful for the law and have no problems with it.
What Is Seattle’s Minimum Wage for 2024?
The new proposal shows that gig workers were given a new minimum wage of $26.40 with a per-mile minimum payment of $0.35. This has raised the cost of many items and services across the city for several reasons.
Many delivery services reported a 30% drop in orders since the legislation was implemented earlier this year, and some workers greatly oppose the law. The workers who are unhappy with Seattle’s minimum wage for the year claim that they live below what they used to and are overworked. They do not have enough time to rest or have a proper social life because they have to work longer.
What Is the Average Salary per Hour in Seattle?
The average salary per hour in Seattle is currently $32.24/hour. However, it could be less in some parts of the city, depending on the type of business. Some recruiters pay much higher, with ZipRecruiter offering as much as $48.15 per hour for some jobs.
Therefore, people looking for job opportunities there have to keep an eye out for high-paying jobs in their fields.
ALSO READ: ‘The Summer Job Is Back’: Teens Join the Workforce Amid Higher Wages and Perks From Employers
What City in Washington Has the Highest Minimum Wage?
The state of Washington has the highest minimum wage in the country. However, Seattle’s minimum wage is not the highest in the state. Starting January 1st, 2024, Olympia, Washington, had the highest city minimum wage in the country after raising maximum wages. Tukwila is the second city in the state with the highest minimum wage and over 500 employees.
Then, Seattle comes in third place as the city with the third-highest minimum wage in Washington. Its payroll also has over 500 employees, making it a largely employed city. Seattle’s minimum wage in 2025 may be subject to change, but that is not confirmed yet.
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