By Ava White
Alaska Public Media, October 24, 2024. Also KTOO (Juneau)
David Ottoson has owned Rainbow Foods, a natural grocery store in Juneau for 44 years. Most of his 30 employees already earn more than $15 an hour, but a handful of highschoolers make $14. All of them are eligible to earn paid time off.
He said his wages are competitive with other grocery stores, and thinks it’s part of the reason he’s able to retain employees. ...
Ottoson said he supports the measure because Alaskans shouldn’t have to choose between being sick and their paycheck.
“The value it has for keeping people who are at work from getting sick, from having germs spread from their fellow workers, I think, probably outweighs any cost that’s involved,” Ottoson said.
Ottoson is among over [130] small businesses owners that have joined a coalition in support of the measure, called [Alaska Business for Better Jobs].
Supporters say the measure would boost consumer spending, improve retention, and that paid sick days are good for businesses. ...
[U]p in Fairbanks, Carey Fristoe, the co-owner of Black Spruce Brewing Company, ... thinks the measure could give hospitality businesses, like his, a competitive hiring advantage. The brewery opened six years ago, and he said most of his seven employees have worked there for several years.
His employees all make more than $15, except a single front-of-house employee who makes $13 plus tips. He thinks paying a higher wage would save him the time and cost of training new employees.
“Having people on board that are trained up, [and] in there for the long haul makes such a huge difference for us,” Fristoe said.
Fristoe also said employees shouldn’t have to worry about their paycheck when sick. His business is centered on food and beverage, and he said allowing employees to take time off when they’re sick keeps their customers, and other employees healthy.