Costco, Vintage Vinyl break with other businesses in backing increase in minimum wage

[Sherman A1]

NEW YORK • For many businesses, opposing minimum wage increases is a no-brainer: Raising the minimum wage increases their expenses. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce steadfastly opposes the proposal, as do many businesses big and small.

But this week, a handful of businesses applauded a bill introduced in Congress to raise the minimum wage, and even sent out a news release vocalizing their support for doing so. They included retailer Costco and smaller businesses such as Vintage Vinyl in University City and British American Auto Care in Columbia, Md.

So what gives? Why are some businesses bucking the trend and calling for a change in policy that would so clearly increase their expenses, especially at a time when finances are stable at best? And why Costco, a public company that has investors watching every penny and questioning every management decision?

After all, wages in retail, when adjusted for inflation, have actually decreased by about 30 cents an hour since 2007. Wouldn’t retailers want to keep it that way?

http://www.stltoday.com/print/business-section/costco-vintage-vinyl-break-with-other-businesses-in-backing-increase/article_b967fc36-2931-56bd-895b-ece5fafb9715.html

[dipsydoodle]

1. For comparison UK minimum wage rates as of April 2013 shown here

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/paye/payroll/day-to-day/nmw.htm

That's a UK gov site. That's $9 or $10 depending on whatever exchange rates are.

From memory of friends who've worked at the local one here in the UK Costco additionally have a scale based on length of service.