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In response, advocacy group Restaurant Opportunities Centers United launched a petition to repeal the amendment."Even with a minimum wage of $15, in the Bay Area, you know that's not livable," ROC United President Sara Jayaraman said. "And for restaurant workers making that bare minimum, $15 is just eking out bare survival."But small business owners in Emeryville disagree.Dave Ung is a co-owner of Diamond Cafe in Emeryville. He is one of many small business owners in the city who say the $16.30 minimum wage (the highest in the country) is just too high. They’re hoping the city reserves the ordinance at the city council meeting tonight. pic.twitter.com/BvMfQQu3UX
— Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz) July 9, 2019
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The city council will vote Tuesday on the amendment.They will either repeal the exemption or decide to let voters decide in an upcoming election. Even if the exemption remains, small business owners will have to increase their minimum so that by 2027 they do pay $16.30.In the meantime, Jayaraman says there are other ways small businesses can cut costs and save money.
"Let's talk with the city council about tax incentives for employers," she said. "Let's not talk about cutting workers' wages."
