Dear Mayor Harrell and City of Seattle Councilmembers,

Your decision to walk away from the total compensation discussion sends a harrowing message to the Seattle business community. Advocates for our local business community have engaged with city leaders on this important issue for the past several months, explaining the disastrous effects this unprecedented wage increase will have on local jobs and business sustainability.  We are shocked that, despite promises to do so, our leaders have been unwilling to engage in a good faith effort to find a reasonable path forward on this important issue.

Put simply, this rapid and excessive increase in the minimum wage will be fatal for many of our members. Many will close their doors and lay off their staff, others will increase menu prices and service charges. Businesses are left with no other choice.

The city has had months to carve a pathway forward by engaging with stakeholders. On August 2nd, Councilmember Hollingsworth tabled her legislation to extend total compensation to help lead a collaborative approach to stakeholder discussions. Shortly after the announcement, advocates learned that the mayor’s office planned to lead this process. Unfortunately, while business advocates prepared multiple compromise alternatives in anticipation of a negotiation process, the mayor’s office only allowed one short meeting to take place, with most participants hand-picked by his office. Now, a spokesperson for Harrell says there is not enough time to make any change to the law, and it “does not see a path” to alter the legislation. There is always time to pass legislation that will result in adverse consequences to workers, businesses, the community, and, yes, City Hall which risks losing tax revenue.

We are extremely disappointed that our city leaders allowed this unprecedented 20% increase in labor costs without an opportunity for stakeholder involvement. Circumstances are wildly different than they were when the bill passed in 2014: insurance rates have increased by double digits; property crime has led to repeat break-ins and broken windows and greater expenses for repairs and security; the cost of goods has increased tremendously due to inflation; and financial offsets from the pandemic continue to impact business owners. Our city’s leaders must recognize that circumstances have changed since 2014—it is much more difficult to start, own, and successfully sustain a business in this city than it was a decade ago.

Seattle’s leaders need to start showing up for our business community. We encourage you to:

  • Collaborate with local chambers, BIAs, and businesses to create an action plan for small business sustainability;
  • Develop a public safety plan that incorporates the needs and experiences of local small businesses;
  • Actively reject the doxing of small business owners
  • Convene small business owners to encourage their input in our city’s legislative processes

Small businesses are essential to the character, sustainability, and safety of our city’s neighborhoods. They provide essential spaces that bring people together and increase our sense of kinship; something that can be hard to find in a big city. Do not kowtow to any one voice or be part of the death of small independent businesses that makes Seattle unique and vibrant. We ask that Seattle leadership join us in taking action to ensure that these cornerstones of our community can continue to flourish.

Sincerely,

Ilona Lohrey

President & CEO

GSBA, Washington’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce

GSBA Board of Directors

GSBA Policy Council