Minimum wage column: The whole story
First off, let me say I love Gecko’s restaurant. It has been one of our go-to places for years. They have a good thing going and appear to be very successful. As does Anna Maria Oyster Bar.
I understand that the restaurant business is in survival mode because of COVID-19. However, I found the Sept. 23 op-ed by the owners of these restaurants, opposing the proposed $15 minimum wage amendment, disingenuous (“Florida’s hospitality industry creates opportunity; Amendment 2 kills it”).
They never clarify that Amendment 2 would increase the minimum wage gradually, starting next September at $10, followed by a $1 increase each year, reaching $15 on Sept. 30, 2026.
The authors call for a “competitive wage that reflects the ability of our industry … to absorb it.” These incremental increases are meant to do just that.