Minimum wage increases in the Desert Southwest

Workers in the Desert Southwest are ringing in 2019 with a higher minimum wage.

Arizona employers must now start all employees at $11 per hour. California employers who run businesses with 25 or fewer employees will start at the same wage, but if the business employs more than 25 people workers will begin at $12 per hour.

That’s a fifty cent spike in both states.

Eddie’s Grill and Burgers and Beer explained how they think the spike will affect them.

“If it becomes out of hand, we’re going to have to cut hours and employees which is one of our biggest fears,” said Jose Villa, owner of Eddie’s Grill.

Eddie’s Grill has been open for four years and employs about 20 people.

They claimed its hard to keep up with business with the frequent increases.

On the other hand, Burgers and Beer said they do not believe the spike will affect business very much.

“Everybody’s minimum wage is going to go up. So, more people are going to be able to afford to come in and eat with us. It helps us and it helps them,” said N arelle Brown, Burgers and Beer employee.

Both project that they will have to adjust prices to mend the void.