SeaTac raised it to $15 at the beginning of 2014, and they're already seeing regrettable consequences.
“Are you happy with the $15 wage?” I asked the full-time cleaning
lady.
“It sounds good, but it’s not good,” the woman said.
“Why?” I asked.
“I lost my 401k, health insurance, paid holiday, and vacation,”
she responded. “No more free food,” she added.
The hotel used to feed her. Now, she has to bring her own food.
Also, no overtime, she said. She used to work extra hours and
received overtime pay.
What else? I asked.
“I have to pay for parking,” she said.
I then asked the part-time waitress, who was part of
the catering staff.
“Yes, I’ve got $15 an hour, but all my tips are now much less,”
she said. Before the new wage law was implemented, her hourly
wage was $7. But her tips added to more than $15 an hour. Yes,
she used to receive free food and parking. Now, she has to
bring her own food and pay for parking.