MinWage2006

Minimum Wage Initiative - January 30, 2006

I. Survey Taker Summary Report Data

Survey Taker Summary Report data as of: Monday 30-Jan-06 05:41 PM

Total Number of Survey Takers		123

Breakdown by Date
Winter 2006		123

Breakdown by Location
Santa Cruz		94
Scotts Valley		10
Watsonville		10
Aptos		12
Live Oak		8
San Lorenzo Valley		2
Soquel		9
Capitola		11
Outside Santa Cruz County		5

Breakdown by Business Type
Community Organizations (Non-profits, Churches, Foundations, Membership Organizations, etc.)		15
Education (Schools, Training Centers, etc.)		5
Entertainment (Art Galleries, Theaters, Book Stores, Nightclubs, etc.)		3
Financial (Banks, Credit Counselors, etc.)		8
Food and Beverage (Supermarkets, Dining, Produce Growers, etc.)		22
Health Care (Hospitals, Clinics, etc.)		4
Home/Building (Builders, Gardening Supplies, Utility Companies, etc.)		5
Hospitality (Hotels, Motels, etc.)		6
Manufacturing (Product Design, Equipment Manufacturing, etc.)		8
Media (Advertising, Radio Stations, Publishers, etc.)		4
Professional Services (Accounting, Architects, Legal, etc.)		9
Recreation (Gyms, Golf Courses, etc.)		3
Real Estate (Realtors, Brokers, Property Management, etc.)		10
Retail (Clothing, Electronics, Toys, Sports Equipment, etc.)		10
Services - Other (Funeral Homes, Security, Travel Agencies, etc.)		9
Technology (Biotech, Computers, Internet, Telecommunications, etc.)		3
Transportation (Auto Dealers, Mechanics, etc.)		2

What percentage does compensation costs represent in your business?
Up to 10%		10
Between 10% - 20%		11
Between 20% - 30%		21
Between 30% - 40%		57
Don't Know		13

What would be the impact to your business if the minimum wage was raised to $9.25/hour?
Beneficial Impact		3
Neutral impact		41
Somewhat negative impact		26
Very negative impact		50

Which of the following would your business implement if the minimum wage was raised to $9.25/hour in the City of Santa Cruz?
Decrease number of employees		54
Decrease your hours of operation		20
Relocate your facilities outside Santa Cruz		24
Terminate your business operations		7
Reduce insurance or other employee benefits		38
Increase prices		47
Gain customers		3
Retain employees		4
Attract new customers		4
Attract potential new customers		5
Other Click here for "other" answers		42

What would be the impact to the perception of Santa Cruz as a place to conduct business if the minimum wage was increased to $9.25/hour?
Beneficial impact		8
Somewhat beneficial impact		4
Neutral impact		12
Somewhat negative impact		28
Very negative impact		69

What position do you think the Chamber of Commerce should take regarding this proposal?
Strongly Support		6
Support		11
Neutral		17
Oppose		21
Strongly Oppose		68

Would you favor a state-wide increase in the minimum wage?
Yes		59
No		35
Not Sure		29

II.

"Other" answer to "Which of the following would your business implement if the minimum wage was raised to $9.25/hour in the City of Santa Cruz?"
	As a real estate developer, we would find it difficult to attract new business to SC to lease or purchase new buildings
	Stricter enforcement of employee work hours
	Attracting new businessses to the City of Santa Cruz
	Don't have any employees below 9.25.
	no impact, we pay higher than minimum wage
	no impact to business
	Our compensation for our employees is already in excess of $9.25/hr.
	Not higher as many entry-level summer season employees as we normally do (students, primarily).
	$6.00
	We might not get as many applicants for our jobs, due to more competition from higher City wage jobs.
	no employees
	consider selling or closing business
	consider selling or closing business
	No Impact
	I don't have employees
	Institute an 18% "service charge" on bills in lieu of gratuity to fund a wage of $12-14 for servers and utilizing the excess to offset the difference of tghe current minimum wage and $9.25.
	all employess already earn more than 9.25 an hour (excluding benefits!)
	I am concerned about my other employees outside the City Limits that do the same job. This would practically force me into a pay increase for everyone. My business, which is Curves, fitness for women, does not allow an increase in dues. I am stuck with more out of pocket expenses and less net profit. It impacts us in more in our matching taxes to the government.
	As a nonprofit receiving funding from the City of Santa Cruz, our employees already make more than $9.25/hr
	as a nonprofit subject to the Living Wage Ordinance, our employees already make more than $9.25/hr.
	Only Use "independent contractors"
	no effect
	none
	might gain customers
	Would have NO IMPACT ON US
	i am outside Santa Cruz
	eliminate all employee benefits
	None initially, our base is already $9.25. The unsaid impact here is that an increase at the bottom will drive up wages across the board. This won't be an increase for those at the bottom as it is intended, it will result in pressure to wages across the board.
	our base wage is higher than this so for our industry it is minimal impact
	none
	Eat, Shop and purchase goods and services from the lowest cost provider which may or may not be in Santa Cruz.
	None, in Watsonville
	None- I have no employees
	no impact
	No impact
	we would be affected as a result of our clients' businesses possibly leaving the area and suffering the increased financial burden - trickle down effect
	no impact
	000
	none
	Businesses would quit reporting wages (employees) & income
	General cost of business
	HIGHER PAID NON TIPPED EMPLOYEES WOULD GO FROM 15-18 DOLLARS TO$9.25
	I would not be able to hire anyone ove
	it would have A ripple efect with the rest of my employees
	not invest in Santa Cruz store operations

If you answered "yes" in favor of state-wide increase in the minimum wage, what would you recommend?
	The Governor's proposal
	8
	2 step increase totalling $1.00 per hour
	$8-9 per hour.
	3%
	$9.25
	$7.75
	nothing
	$8.25/hr.
	I think minimum wage should be increased, but think $9.25 may be too high. Especially in one increase.
	$10.00/hr
	7.25
	$12.00
	$7.50
	$7.50
	$8.00
	Absolutely! Minimum wage has never been a true liveable wage, and the new rate is coming closer to being so. I would even support the wage being $12.00/hour!
	Any new minumum wage ought to have a provision to include tip income in satisfying the obligation. I suggest that the mimum wage be frozen at $6.75 for all wage earners who earn $2.50 or more per hour in tip income.
	$9.00
	A living wage, which is closer to $13.25/hr
	Bring it up slowly in steps and let organizations "regroup or rethink" how to manage the new costs.
	The Schwartzenegger proposal
	Arnold's proposal
	$7.25
	$9
	8.00
	$7.00
	Governor's proposal
	Current Proposal to $7.75
	$7.75
	The Governors current proposal.
	$1.00
	increase must be countywide min.
	Over 2 years to 9.00 per hour
	up to7.75over 2 years
	$7.75
	I don't have a figure in mind yet, but living in calif is expensive, santa cruz especially, the wage should reflect the average cost of living
	I am not sure, I have no idea how this process / number is established.
	8.75
	$10.00 per hour. Cannot live in thiis County on Minimum Wage of $6.75
	9
	$8
	This issue neeeds further study
	$8
	$8-$9
	6.00
	As the governor suggests, $1.00 over two years
	$9.25
	7.85 per hour
	The Governors current proposal
	8.00
	Only to non-tipped employees
	7.75
	$1.00 per hour per year for two years
	$9.25
	Not as high as 9.25
	I believe that there is already one in place that graduate's the next few years
	6.25

Santa Cruz Chamber Survey Results

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Minimum Wage Initiative - January 30, 2006

I. Survey Taker Summary Report Data

II.

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