LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ‘Burien raised wages fairly – don’t let Seattle activists rewrite the law’

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Letter from Eric Papczun, ‘Vote No for Burien,’ Chair: A recent Letter to the Editor supporting Initiative 1 contains several misleading claims. Let’s clear up the facts.

Burien Has the Highest Minimum Wage in the Nation

Burien already has the highest minimum wage in the U.S. As of January 1, 2025, businesses with more than 20 employees must pay $20.16–$21.16 per hour. Yet, supporters of Initiative 1 falsely claim our minimum wage is only $16.66. It literally says this on their website.[¹] Why mislead voters?

Tukwila Exempts Small Businesses—Initiative 1 Doesn’t

One of the most bizarre elements of Initiative 1 is that it ties Burien’s wages to Tukwila, but fails to include the small business exemption that Tukwila gives its own businesses.

Tukwila’s own minimum wage law (Tukwila Municipal Code 5.63.050) exempts businesses with fewer than 15 employees from having to pay the full minimum wage. Initiative 1 does not provide this exemption. Instead, it applies the large employer wage to Burien’s smallest businesses—something Tukwila itself doesn’t do.

This is not an oversight—it’s intentional. Initiative 1 states:

“The minimum wage… will be equal to that in the City of Tukwila for large employers… After the phase-in periods, all employers must pay the full minimum wage [²].”

In other words, Initiative 1 forces small, family-run Burien businesses to pay wages that even Tukwila’s smallest businesses don’t have to pay. Why should Burien’s neighborhood coffee shops and immigrant-owned restaurants be treated more harshly than Tukwila’s businesses?

Initiative 1 Actually Lowers Wages for Large Businesses

Even more perplexing, Initiative 1 actually lowers the minimum wage for large businesses, cutting it from $21.16 to $21.10 per hour. Supporters claim this is about “raising wages,” yet their policy punishes small businesses while making an arbitrary change for large businesses.

Who’s Really Behind Initiative 1? Follow the Money

Supporters claim that Burien workers are driving this campaign, but the financial records tell a different story.

According to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission, Raise the Wage has spent $135,941.19 on this campaign[³]—yet only $1,829 came from Burien residents[⁴]. The vast majority of their funding comes from extreme Seattle-based groups, including the Transit Riders Union, which has no stake in Burien’s small business community.

Meanwhile, the local opposition to Initiative 1 is running on just a few thousand dollars[⁵], raised from Burien small businesses, local restaurants, and independent shop owners who fear closure or layoffs if this initiative passes.

Seattle’s Restaurant Closures Are a Warning

Seattle has already tested these wage policies, and the results have been devastating. Restaurants like Jackson’s Catfish Corner, Bel Gatto Bakery, Plum Bistro, and Bebop Waffle Shop have all shut their doors.

Small, independent, often immigrant-owned restaurants run on razor-thin margins. Many owners can’t even afford to pay themselves. Initiative 1 backers claim Burien’s record-breaking minimum wage still isn’t enough – even though our community specifically chose to exempt businesses with fewer than 20 employees to protect local jobs.

What’s at Stake?

Initiative 1 doesn’t just raise wages – it locks Burien’s wage policy to Tukwila’s decisions, removes small business exemptions that Tukwila keeps for itself, and lowers wages for some workers while increasing costs on struggling businesses.

Burien’s current minimum wage law was crafted with input from local workers, small businesses, and the city council. It raises wages while protecting small businesses and can be adjusted locally when needed.

Initiative 1 wasn’t designed for Burien – it was written by Seattle activists with no understanding of our community.

Burien’s economy should be shaped by Burien voters, not Tukwila’s policies or Seattle’s activist groups. We urge you to vote NO.

– Eric Papczun
Burien Resident
Vote No For Burien, Chair

Footnotes:

1. https://www.raisethewageburien.org/
2. https://www.tukwilawa.gov/departments/finance/minimum-wage-and-fair-access-to-additional-hours-of-work/
3. https://www.pdc.wa.gov/political-disclosure-reporting-data/browse-search-data/committees/co-2025-35912#overview
4. https://www.pdc.wa.gov/political-disclosure-reporting-data/browse-search-data/committees/co-2025-35912?contributor_city=seattle#contributions
5. https://www.pdc.wa.gov/political-disclosure-reporting-data/browse-search-data/committees/co-2025-37398#overview

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