Seattle’s $21 Minimum Wage Sparks OUTRAGE—And Here's What Residents Want To Do About It!

By Maria Angelino | Sunday, 29 December 2024 05:15 AM
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Image Credit : Photo by REUTERS/CM

In the Democratic-governed city of Seattle, a wave of discontent is brewing among residents over the impending increase in the minimum wage to nearly $21 an hour.

This has led to a growing number of citizens vowing to cease the practice of tipping, a custom deeply ingrained in American culture.

As reported by the Daily Mail, the minimum wage in the Washington state city is set to rise from $19.97 to $20.76 on the first day of the new year. This increase is in line with the city's Minimum Wage Ordinance, which mandates that the wage rate mirrors the inflation rise within the Seattle area.

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However, the prospect of tipping workers on top of the high hourly rate has left many residents disgruntled. A Reddit post discussing the wage hike has gained traction in the local community, with one user stating, "With Seattle’s new minimum wage going into effect really soon, most food industry workers are finally reaching a level playing field. As a result, I’ll no longer be tipping more than 5-10%. And I’m ONLY doing that if service is EXCEPTIONAL. It’s only fair—hard work deserves fair pay across all industries."

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The sentiment has resonated with many, with a significant number of commentators echoing the same view. One person said, "I will only tip for service at our table. Being asked to tip before receiving a meal is a no go. Being asked to tip because someone handed me a loaf of bread across the counter and then operated a till, not a chance."

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Another user expressed frustration with the tipping culture, stating, "The fact that people are still asking for tips after getting paid a 'living wage' is hilarious. The whole industry is set up to make people feel bad for not tipping, and for some strange reason, that's not going away."

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In response to the wage increase, Mayor Bruce Harrell issued a statement, saying, "Seattle has one of the highest minimum wages in the country – this is a good thing for workers, a good thing for our overall economy, and something we should take pride in. As one of the leading members of the original team who developed Seattle’s groundbreaking minimum wage legislation, my mission is the same now as it was then – ensuring Seattle is both a great place for workers and a great place for small businesses."

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This development comes on the heels of a report earlier this year revealing that Americans are now spending an average of $453 more a year on tips than they normally would. The increase was attributed to 'guilt-tipping', a phenomenon where consumers pay a tip out of awkwardness or pressure when they would rather not.

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A poll by Talker Research found that over a quarter of the 2,000 surveyed said they are 'always or often forced to tip more than they would like.' The study also found that Gen Z and millennials 'were almost twice as likely to say they "always" feel pressure to tip than older generations.' In comparison, just 9 percent of Gen X and 5 percent of Boomers felt the same way.

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These findings underscore a growing backlash against 'tipflation', a trend that has seen tipping culture extend beyond bars and restaurants and into stores, takeout chains, and even self-service machines. This shift in public sentiment towards tipping, coupled with the impending wage increase in Seattle, raises questions about the sustainability of the tipping culture in the United States. It also highlights the need for a broader conversation about fair wages and the cost of living in major cities.

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