By La'shawn Donelson
Your Alaska Link, October 7, 2024
Alaskans are gearing up for the general election next month. Along with choosing the next President, and U.S. Representative, there are two ballot measures that Alaskans will have to vote for. One measure would increase the minimum wage and require sick and paid leave for employees. ...
Alaska Business for Better Jobs and small businesses across the state are pushing for workers to get a pay increase. ...
Small businesses in Anchorage, like A.K. Bark tell Your Alaska Link why workers should be paid more than minimum wage.
“People who shop at my store are local people, the ones often that are helping you at the fast-food store, at the grocery chain or what have you that are making minimum wage or not much above it. And the more money those people have, the better my store is gonna do," said Mark Robokoff, owner of AK Bark.
“And if a person is making a nice, livable wage, then they're more apt to be able to perform at their best {than] if they're just making a minimum wage and struggling to make ends meet," said Derrick Green, owner of Waffles and Whatnot in Anchorage.
Your Alaska Link got businesses from Juneau and Fairbanks to weigh in on paid sick leave.
“If you're sick, you know, you shouldn't have to choose between staying home and getting better and going to work," says David Ottoman, owner of Rainbow Foods in Juneau.
“People get sick, that happens. They should be able to take the time to recover or if they have a family member who is sick and they need to stay home with them, they should be allowed to do that as well and not be penalized," said Carey Fristoe, co-owner of Black Spruce Brewing company in Fairbanks. ...