Won’t establishing a minimum wage negate the current meritocracy, and make musicians complacent?

We’re not suggesting that everyone be paid identically. We’re setting minimums, not maximums – a meritocracy with a minimum higher than zero is still a meritocracy.
Bands can and should still work harder to improve their product and negotiate for better pay. The lowliest clerks and burger-flippers get minimum wage; does that breed complacency?
Our venue agreement is designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of business models employed by Portland clubs. It includes an option for a tiered system based mostly on venue size that would maintain current hierarchical and meritocratic structures.

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