$9,637 an hour!
That’s how much Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks makes while Starbucks workers get an average of less than $9 an hour! And that’s not all. Asked about a $15/hr minimum wage, Schultz stoked fears about job losses at small businesses who he claimed “would not be able to afford it,” while admitting that Starbucks could pay $15. Ok, Howard, then stop hiding behind small businesses and pay Starbucks workers 15 now!
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Watch the organizing director of 15 Now debate the chief financial officer of Ethan Stowell Restaurants on raising the minimum wage, featured on Seattle Channel’s City Inside/Out. Make sure to vote YES on the poll in the homepage to show just how many people support raising the minimum wage in Seattle: http://www.seattlechannel.org/cityinsideout/
Update: See The Stranger’s response to this question here:
Mayor Murray Tells Activist He’s Been Against Tip Credits “Since 1997,” But Co-Sponsored a State Tip Credit Bill in 2001
68% of Seattle supports $15/hour minimum wage. Our movement is growing, but we have work to do.
Big business does not support $15 an hour minimum wage. And they are prepared to pour millions into defeating our movement. Monsanto and Co. spent $22 million to beat back GMO labeling – how much do you think Walmart will spend? Or McDonalds? Or Starbucks?
In 2013 Starbucks made $1.7 billion in profits – it’s most profitable year in its 42 year history! CEO Howard Schultz has been handsomely rewarded with $28 million a year compensation while the average Seattle Starbucks barista makes $9.57 an hour.
On March 25th there is an opportunity to participate in a live discussion with the mayor.
When: Tuesday, March 25 / Doors: 6 p.m. Live show: 7 to 8 p.m.
Where: Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Ave. Bertha Knight Landes Room
That’s how much Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbuck makes! And guess what he said on Wednesday about businesses unable to afford a $15 an hour minimum wage: “That would not be the case at Starbucks, but I suspect that most companies, especially small and midsized companies, would not be able to afford it.”
Ok, Howard, then stop hiding behind small businesses and pay your workers 15 now! Continue reading
Sawant says, “Big businesses need to be exposed. They are hiding behind small businesses in the debate on $15/hr.”
Press release on March 19 from the office of Councilmember Kshama Sawant.
SEATTLE — Councilmember Kshama Sawant offered the following statement in response to favorable reactions to her proposal of a new specific policy direction for $15/hour minimum wage. The proposal was announced as part of her speech last Saturday, March 15th:
On March 19th, 15 Now attended a public hearing with the the Seattle City Council Committee on Minimum Wage and Income Inequality. 15 Now had the opportunity to address the committee and powerfully state the case for raising the minimum wage without redefining the meaning of the word “wage”. As 15 Now and other groups explained, tip penalties and other “total compensation” policies represent a real loss for workers. That’s especially for true women and the gender pay gap, because women are over-represented in industries that will be most affected by tip penalties.
On Saturday 750 people gathered and marched through the streets of Seattle boldly calling for $15 an hour minimum wage as part of a national day of action to March for $15 on March 15. Low-wage workers, union members and 15 Now activists joined together for this energetic event which was received with overwhelming support from onlookers in their cars and in their apartments windows as well as workers coming out of shops to cheer on the march.