The city government here in Louisville is considering an increase of the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour over the next three years.  While this isn’t as bad as what we’ve seen in places like Seattle, which have mandated $15 an hour, it’s got some business owners hopping.  I’m not a fan of such increases, but to be honest, I don’t have skin in that game other than being one of the people who will be on the hook for higher prices to cover increased labor costs.

But if you are a business owner in Louisville, I want you to do me a favor.  If you could, please look at your current staffing and what you pay that staff.  Then, look at what that staffing will cost you at $10.10 an hour. Then, I want you to decide which, if any, of those positions you will be eliminating so as to cover the cost of increasing the pay of everyone that will require a raise to get to the new minimum wage.

Then, I want you to take that data and send it in a polite letter to your metro council representative and the president of the council.  Explain to them exactly how many jobs at your business will be lost if the new minimum goes through.  If you think you’ll have to cut too deeply into your staff to stay open, explain to them how much you give out each year in wages, as well as how much you and your employees pay in taxes.  If you’d have to scale your business down in order to comply, quantify that in the amount of money that won’t be filling Louisville’s coffers.  If you’ve got the time, and I know the most precious commodity a business owner has is time, take these letters directly to their offices and have a discussion with them about how this is going to impact you and your business.

If upping the minimum wage is going to have an impact on your business, now is the time to quantify it and rub their noses in it.  Make them realize just what they are doing to you.  They’re saying that you’re bluffing and lying about what doing this will do.  Call them on it.