Federal wage hike an afterthought for many operators

Late last month as the federal minimum-wage increase approached, the jump to a new hourly rate of to $7.25 appeared to be ruffling few feathers.

While none of several operators interviewed cheered the 11-percent increase over the previous minimum wage of $6.55 per hour, most reported that they are already paying rates higher than what will soon be the new federal standard.

“Our utility people make $9.10 an hour, so the increase doesn’t hurt us,” said Neal Gilder, co