Progressive activists, alongside Cherry Street Coffee employees, staged a walkout on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Why? Because the business owner had the audacity to explain to the city council that the upcoming minimum wage hike is unsustainable. Thanks to their activism, the store is now permanently closed and they’re out of jobs. It’s what they deserve.
Seattle’s next minimum wage hike kicks in on January 1, 2025, and it’s going to hurt. The new phase eliminates the tip credit that bars, restaurants and cafes rely on. That credit currently lets businesses deduct $2.72 an hour if employees make at least that much in tips. But soon, that lifeline will be gone. Experts are already warning the food and beverage industry will take a hit — expect more Seattle businesses to shut down because they can’t handle the added expenses.
Ali Ghambari, owner of Cherry Street Coffee, tried to sound the alarm at a recent Seattle City Council meeting, pleading for relief. His business couldn’t absorb the blow. But his employees, showing just how little they understand about running a business, objected. They teamed up with socialist agitators, led by none other than former Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant, and organized a walkout. They thought they could hold him hostage. The result? The store is shuttered and they’re jobless. Great work, team!…