Seattle minimum wage Council passes $15/hr. plan

Associated Press

SEATTLE

The Seattle City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday that gradually increases the minimum wage in the city to $15, which would make it the highest in the nation.

The issue has dominated politics in the liberal municipality for months, and a crowd of mostly labor activists packed the Council chambers for the vote. Mayor Ed Murray, who was elected last year, had promised in his campaign to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

The measure, which would take effect April 1, 2015, includes a phase-in of the wage increase over years, with a slower process for small businesses. The plan gives businesses with more than 500 employees nationally at least three years to phase in the increase. Those providing health insurance will have four years to complete the move. Smaller organizations have seven years.

The International Franchise Association, a business group that represents franchise owners, said it plans to sue to stop the ordinance.