Editorials / Opinion

Share the wealth The recently published “no” argument in minimum-wage debate is baffling. [“Should fast-food chains pay a ‘living wage’?”, Opinion, Sept. 21.] The writer references medieval doctors bleeding people and wages of Mexican workers, considers a tiny island in the Pacific equivalent to the U.S. economy, and suggests that the economic role of minimum-wage jobs is…

Event staff deserve more I love the city of Seattle and value the many public events that provide enrichment for the city. I have joyfully attended many of these events. It came as quite a shock to me when, instead of joining in the fun, I was participating in these events as an employee. The large venues in…

It’s up to you Let me see if I have this straight, the fast-food workers want $15 per hour because they can’t live on minimum wage. [“Labor turns up heat over low wages,” page one, Sept. 2.] I’m sorry, but I take issue with that idea. Both of my children worked fast-food jobs while growing up…

The worst thing we can do As much as many fast-food workers want to make a living wage from a job traditionally held by high-school and college students, the worst thing we can do is to allow these folks to set this job as their career. [“Fast-food workers take to the streets for $15 an...

Column was misleading To say that today, “more American workers are excluded from the legal right to form a union than currently have union representation,” as David Rolf stated in his column with Nick Hanauer, is totally misleading. [“Guest column: Seattle leads the chorus for a living wage,” Opinion, Aug. 11.] The right of any citizen…

Employers, not taxpayers, should pay workers A minimum-wage employee is likely receiving a number of government subsidies including food stamps, housing assistance, earned-income tax credit and soon medical insurance assistance. [“A crazy generosity experiment,” NW Sunday, Aug. 11.]If the minimum wage were raised (say, to $15 an hour) the minimum-wage employee would receive fewer, if…

Increasing wage alone will not lead to wealth If minimum wage were increased to $15 an hour, people currently earning minimum wage and working full-time would take home more than $200 extra each week. [“Guest column: Seattle leads the chorus for a living wage,” Opinion, Aug. 11.] It is widely recognized that the most common way…

An unrealistic wish To all those fast-food workers who are now demanding a $15-an-hour wage: as the old saying warns, be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it. [“Behind the fast-food protests,” Business, seattletimes.com.] If you do get it, it’s almost certain that a lot of you will have no jobs at…

People need to work for success I think it is time to remind those with low-paying jobs that nobody owes them a living. [“Northwest Voices: Fast-food worker,” Opinion, Aug. 3.] Millions upon millions of Americans started out life with low-paying jobs, and worked hard to learn how to do their job better. Through trade schools, correspondence…

Simple supply-and-demand There is much consternation in Seattle over “living wages” for low-wage workers. [“Northwest Voices: Fast-food worker,” Opinion, Aug. 3.] Some people think these low-wage workers should, in essence, get off their bums and improve their own prospects. [“Northwest Voices: Fast-food restaurant wages,” Opinion, Aug. 2.] Others think employers should simply pay them more….