By John D. Oravecz
Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Jan. 21, 2014

... Businesses paying the minimum wage and their workers continue to be at the center of a longstanding debate. ...

... Other small business owners, such as Scott Smith at East End Brewery Co. in Larimer, are advocates for paying what they see as a fair wage. Smith has six fulltime and three parttime workers and produced 4,000 barrels of beer last year, up from 2,500 in 2012. “I have a hard time paying a pittance; that's disrespectful to our guys,” he said. “Our entry jobs start at around $10 and go up from there." ...

A Boston-based group, Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, has about 3,000 members ...

Amy Edelman, owner of Night Kitchen and Bakery in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill neighborhood, said she signed a petition a year ago from the group backing an increase. “I can't believe the minimum wage is still $7.25 when people have to pay their normal bills and student loans repayments. Basic expenses have increased have increased so much.” She employs 20 at pay ranging from $10 to $18 an hour. Only one, a dishwasher, makes less, $8, she said. ...

John D. Oravecz is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7882 or joravecz@tribweb.com.