Second in a series.
Re: “Board of Supes’ Move to Skip Culver City”
The most reliable early signs are that Culver City entrepreneurs are content to maintain the status quo on the sizzling subject of the minimum wage. They strongly favor retaining the state minimum as their standard ($9 today, $10 as if Jan. 1). There is no sign they are being tempted to fall into lockstep with the new policies of Los Angeles city and county.
“If you follow suit with Los Angeles,” says Culver City restaurateur Ken Kaufman, “you really are just going to affect the restaurants, especially the mom-and-pop restaurants.
“There is tremendous irony in that the people most affected are the front-of-the-house personnel who are making tips. Because the state does not allow a total compensation look at wages, tips are not counted toward minimum wage.”
Mr. Kaufman, the owner of Rush Street and City Tavern, noted that California is one of only seven states with such a policy.
“Our front-of-the-house workers, who make tips, make anywhere from…
“Our lowest paid bussers and runners make $17-$18 an hour. Our highest paid servers and bartenders make $45-$50 an hour. They are getting the raise on Jan, 1 when the state minimum wage goes from $9 an hour to 10.
“And they don’t even want it,” said Mr. Kaufman, who also owns an eatery in downtown Los Angeles. “They know if you raise those wages, most likely prices are going to have to rise. If prices have to rise, we will have fewer customers. Or employers will hire fewer people.
“Their view is: Hey, we are doing fine now. Let’s not rock the boat.”
(To be continued)
