Washington restaurant group pushing for wage increase

  • Associated Press
  • Thursday, November 5, 2015 4:37pm
  • Business

SEATTLE — Days after voters in Tacoma approved a substantial minimum wage increase, the Washington Restaurant Association is now pushing for a statewide minimum wage increase.

The hospitality association said a statewide hike in the minimum wage is a better approach than a checkerboard of local wage laws.

Voters in Tacoma decided this week to raise the city’s minimum wage to $12. The Seattle City Council decided to move toward a $15 minimum wage in 2014, following the city of SeaTac. The state minimum wage is $9.47.

While the Washington Restaurant Association has opposed city wage increases, it announced Thursday it would support a statewide exploration of the idea of a higher minimum wage.

The group’s president and CEO, Anthony Anton, said he has support from political leaders for a new statewide discussion on this issue.

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