Forward Seattle, the small business group attempting to bring Seattle’s $15 minimum wage ordinance to a vote, submitted about 19,500 signatures King County elections last week. The group needs 16,510 valid signatures to ensure a place on the November ballot.
Small businesses associated with Forward Seattle have had to overcome various hurdles during signature gathering efforts. Support Seattle Workers, a spin-off group of union-backed Working Washington (the $15 minimum wage activist group), took a page out of the union-thug book and used various intimidation tactics against small businesses who dared express their dissent over Seattle’s new minimum wage law. Ongoing intimidation tactics include boycotts of all businesses supporting Forward Seattle.
The $15 minimum wage activists took their boycott to the extreme when they engaged in what might be described as harassment against targeted small businesses. Besides posting boycott lists to their websites, activists went on small businesses’ Facebook pages and online review websites to post negative comments and reviews.
Demonstrators also stood outside the store fronts of businesses who dared support placing the $15 minimum wage ordinance on the ballot and passed out flyers to pedestrians and potential customers. The flyers declared, “This business is giving money to Forward Seattle, a fringe group backed by right-wing conservatives, corporate executives and real estate developers that is using misleading tactics to try to repeal our minimum wage.”
The owner of Liberty Bar in Seattle recently spoke out about his experience with $15 minimum wage demonstrators on KIRO’s Jason Rantz Show. According to his reports, demonstrators entered his bar posing as outraged customers in an attempt to disrupt business.
Seattle city officials are expected to complete a preliminary count of Forward Seattle’s signatures this week. Signatures will then be send to King County elections for final verification.
lmdk2 says
Where’s the Liberty Bar. I want to stop by for a cool one and show my support for his right to disagree
!!
Smartgardener says
Just another day in the friendly, gracious and tolerant city of Seattle.
Robin Hood says
A living wage & fresh new ideas !!!!
Imagine the oldster’s undies tied in knots !!!