California Gov. Jerry Brown lifts a signed bill creating highest statewide minimum wage at $15 an hour by 2022 at the Ronald Reagan building in Los Angeles, April 4. (Nick Ut, The Associated Press)
Re: Going too far on minimum wage?, April 4 editorial (reprinted from Bloomberg View)
The Bloomberg View editorial on raising the minimum wage in California and elsewhere was absolutely correct. Not only does increasing wages impact businesses — and may hurt them — but it will also create a reason for automation.
As an engineer I can see the impetus to design a machine to make hamburgers and tacos. A future fast-food restaurant crew of 20 to 30 people could easily be reduced to five or six highly trained operations and maintenance technicians making more than minimum wage. If you don t believe that, just go to a Chili s restaurant and see how they are using tablets to allow customers to order and pay for their meals.
José M. López, Centennial
This letter was published in the April 8 edition.As an owner of a small business doing custom manufacturing, the thought of a $15 minimum wage is scary, and might lead to closure of our shop. Instead of incremental increases, this doubling of the minimum is unexplored territory. Our employees make between $12 and $16 per hour. Our competition is not a similar company down the road (like fast-food shops), but the perceived values of Chinese imports.
How much can we afford to increase our employees wages? Do they have to double? Do they suddenly make minimum wages or just above? Will customers pay the price for domestically made products? I don t know, but I don t think anyone does.
Mitch Waldman, Denver
This letter was published in the April 8 edition.
Submit a letter to the editor via this form or check out our guidelines for how to submit by e-mail or mail.
