Letter to the Editor by Karen and Colin Archipley
San Diego Union Tribune, April 15, 2016
Regarding “Minimum wage policies bad for business in California” (April 1): Since being signed into law, we’ve read a lot of doom and gloom predictions about California’s $15 minimum wage. The North San Diego Business Chamber president wrote an editorial saying it will put businesses at a disadvantage.
We wholeheartedly disagree. When our workers — many of them veterans — have enough money to take care of themselves and their families, they’re more productive, we have less turnover and we can provide excellent customer service, which is key to our success.
A higher wage-floor will also mean Californians will have increased consumer buying power. Workers are customers. When they have more money, they spend it at local businesses, strengthening our community, not damaging it.
And phasing in a $15 minimum levels the playing field for small businesses like ours that compete with bigger farms that historically undercut us on labor. These are competitive advantages that will strengthen our business and the economy.
Karen and Colin Archipley
Co-CEOs, Archi’s Acres