ST. LOUIS — As early voting kicks off in Missouri, a broad coalition of business owners is standing firmly behind a ballot initiative that aims to raise the minimum wage and establish paid sick leave for workers.
The business owners argue that these changes will not only benefit employees but also enhance local economies by reducing turnover, increasing productivity and fostering stronger customer service.
In Missouri, more than 500 businesses have joined the Missouri Business for a Healthy Economy coalition, backing Proposition A.
The initiative seeks to raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 by 2026 and grant workers the ability to earn paid sick leave.
Joe Edwards, owner of several well-known St. Louis establishments, including Blueberry Hill restaurant and music club, spoke strongly in favor of the Missouri initiative.
"I built my businesses on a belief in the American Dream, and that includes paying people fairly so they can make a living,” Edwards said in a provided statement.
Edwards spoke about how investing in employees had a lasting impact on his businesses’ success.
"Raising the purchasing power of low-wage workers by raising the minimum wage drives a virtuous economic cycle," Edwards said. "It leads to local business growth and hiring. Proposition A will make our businesses and our communities stronger and healthier."
Mike Schroeder, co-owner of Oddly Correct Coffee in Kansas City, also spoke on the benefits of fair wages and paid sick leave.
"We know from experience that a business model built on fair pay and paid sick leave is a better business model," Schroeder said in a statement.
Schroeder said that the decision to offer living wages and benefits transformed employee engagement and investment.
"Not only did it lead to employees being more invested in their work, but it created an environment for higher quality service and a better experience for our customers," Schroeder said.
For Schroeder, the results were clear. He said this led to a 20% increase in retail revenue.
Schroeder went on to explain that during the pandemic, his business did not experience the staffing shortages that many others faced.
"While others struggled and claimed 'no one wanted to work,' we had new applications every day because people wanted to work somewhere that could actually support them," Schroeder said.
Andy Faucett, who runs Bambinos Cafe in Springfield, also shared his perspective as a family business owner.
"We pay starting wages well above the minimum wage, and it shows in our food, our customer service and our business success," Faucett said. "Passing the ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage and enable workers across our state to earn paid sick time will be an important investment in Missouri’s economy and our communities."
Kelly Raines, CEO of Birdsall House Early Childhood Learning Center in Kansas City, noted how important Proposition A is for her industry.
"As someone who worked in early childhood education for 20 years before opening Birdsall House in 2015, I know that Proposition A is essential," Raines said in a provided statement.
Raines explained that early childhood educators are often underpaid and overworked, which affects their ability to provide high-quality care.
"Missouri needs caregivers who can focus fully on children’s care and education without constant stress over making ends meet," she said.
She said there were public health benefits of paid sick time.
"Missouri needs caregivers who can take paid time off when they are sick and not come into work and spread illness to children, coworkers, and their families," she said.
The list of Missouri businesses supporting Proposition A is extensive, spanning various industries and regions across the state. From restaurants and cafes like Pizza House and Ozark Cookie Co., to local retailers such as Yellow Dog Bookshop and Blackhole Bakery, the coalition represents a diverse array of businesses.
The push for higher wages and paid sick leave is not just a regional issue.
Fourteen states, along with Washington, D.C., already have a minimum wage of $15 or higher or are in the process of phasing in increases. These states include California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York, among others.
A similar movement is also underway in Alaska.
There, the Alaska Business for Better Jobs coalition supports Ballot Measure 1, which proposes raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2027 and implementing paid sick time.
That effort has garnered support from over 130 businesses, as well as the Alaska Black Chamber of Commerce.
Notably, the movement has also garnered the endorsement of national organizations, such as the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, which has thrown its support behind both the Alaska and Missouri ballot initiatives.