Secure scheduling advanced out of committee Thursday morning. But the bill now has an amendment that treats workers in some counties like their time is worth less because of where they live. Send a message telling them the state shouldn’t pick and choose which workers get which rights just because they think some of us are “rural”.
A few days ago we sent out a message, siren included, in a final push to get our secure scheduling bill through the state house and senate labor committees.
You responded. More than 900 WorkingWA supporters from all across the state have sent messages this session calling on legislators to take action to address scheduling practices at big chains that just don’t seem to recognize that workers are human beings and our time counts too.
And early yesterday morning, both committees voted to advance secure scheduling on to the next step in the process. That’s huge: a statewide secure scheduling bill is moving forward in our state legislature.
But yeah it’s politics so it’s not all good news.
While the bill did move forward, the bill now has an amendment that excludes workers in counties they classify as rural. That means it cuts out workers in Colville, Port Angeles, Walla Walla, Forks and everywhere else in 30 different counties.
Workers shouldn't get fewer rights just because of how many neighbors they have.
People who work at the Walmart in Pasco need advance notice just like people who work at the Walmart in Renton.
People who work at Taco Bell in Aberdeen need access to hours just like people who work at Taco Bell in Spokane.
And people who work at the Olive Garden in Yakima need input into their schedules just like people who work at the Olive Garden in Vancouver.
It’s the same big chains. The same scheduling issues.
Workers across the state struggle with unstable and unpredictable schedules. Our time shouldn’t count less because of where we live and work.
Seems pretty basic right?
So add your voice: send a message to key legislators telling them that the state shouldn't pick and choose which workers get which rights just because of where they happen to live.
Have you already sent a message this year? Send another one. Because there's no excuse for the state picking and choosing which workers get which rights just because of where they happen to live.
P.S. Need some motivation? Check out what workers have been saying in testimony to the lesiglature this year!