In November 2016,  Washington voted by almost 60% to pass Initiative 1433, which will raise up 1 million workers and boost the economy of our entire state with a higher minimum wage and paid sick days. Then in the first few months of 2017, we mobilized to protect this victory against several bills before the State Legislature which would have rolled back wages.

Initiative 1433 will raise up Washington by increasing the statewide minimum wage to $13.50/hour over the next four years and providing up to 7 days of paid sick & safe leave for workers in our state. 

$9.47 wasn’t enough

No matter where you like in Washington State, the old minimum wage of $9.47/hour just wasn't enough to support yourself, afford the basics, and contribute to the economy. In fact, you need a full-time job paying $18.39/hour to afford a 1-bedroom apartment in our state, according to research by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Higher wages raise up the economy

Everyone should be able to support themselves, afford the basics, and contribute to the economy. But when huge companies like McDonald’s and Target pay poverty-wages while banking billions of dollars, that means less money in our communities — which holds back our economy.

When we break that cycle by raising wages, it gives our whole economy a lift. It’s pretty simple: when more people have more money, that means more customers for more businesses. And that raises up everyone! 

That’s why Seattle’s economy has been booming since raising their minimum wage, and why Washington State’s job growth was among the tops in the nation the last time we voted to raise the minimum wage.