Franchise owners not happy with Seattle's minimum wage proposal

(Photo: KCPQ-TV)



SEATTLE -- Chuck Stempler is the franchisee of Alpha Graphics in Seattle.  He has 2 locations downtown, and other print shops in Lynnwood, Renton and Bellevue.  Stempler feels the $15 an hour minimum wage the City Council is expected to vote and approve Monday is not fair to franchise owners like himself.

"The issue concerning us and all franchise businesses is the arbitrary and discriminatory decision to treat us as if we’re all large companies meaning 500+ employees when we’re not.  We would like to be properly categorized as a small business which is what we are," said Stempler.

Stempler employs 85 workers which technically puts his company in the small business category, but because his franchise is part of a national corporation he has to follow the minimum wage phase-in rules for large businesses, phasing in $15 an hour within 3 years vs. 7 years for small businesses.

Stempler says he is organizing with other franchise owners and said there could be legal action in the coming months after Monday's vote.

We'll have more on the vote itself and a 1:00 p.m. rally outside City Hall on Q13 FOX News at 4:00 and 5:00.