Letters to the Editor

Letter: Ballot Measure 1 arguments

I read with amusement Daniel J. Young’s lengthy comments on Ballot Measure 1 in the Oct. 17 ADN.

He appears to believe that enacting the measure would practically end civilization as we know it. This view seems contrary to the measure itself, however, which consists of three brief, clearly stated paragraphs. The first one requires raising the minimum wage to $13 per hour next year and to $15 per hour by 2027. The second paragraph requires employers to provide sick leave. The final paragraph, and this one paragraph particularly rattles Young’s cage, prohibits employers from forcing employees to attend religious or political meetings, but specifically states that they may communicate work-related issues.

What is wrong with Ballot Measure 1? Little in my view, but plenty according to Young. First, according to Young, it was introduced by outside interests (including, God forbid, organized labor) rather than our Legislature — a body, incidentally, dominated by penny-clenching Republicans who are driving young people out of the state because they can’t make a living here.

Secondly, he believes the wage increase will doom small businesses. I don’t doubt that increasing the minimum wage will be difficult for businesses, especially small ones, but Young needs to acknowledge that employees need a livable wage. Why should the playing field be perpetually tilted to favor employers rather than employees? Young apparently sees little wrong with the sick-leave portion of the measure, apart from its outside origin, of course, but he is apoplectic over the last section.

He maintains this paragraph inflicts a “gag order” on employers, violating their right to free speech, and allows employees to refuse to attend meetings necessary to perform their jobs. This is utter nonsense. I suspect Young’s antipathy for Ballot Measure 1 has more to do with profit reduction than rescuing small businesses from certain ruin or the abrogation of employers’ free speech rights. I hope acupuncturist Young is more attentive to his pins and needles than he is to reading ballot measures.

— Dale Slaughter

Anchorage

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