Why Michaelene from Port Orchard Supports Initiative 1433

Michaelene is a mother who lives in Port Orchard and has worked a variety of low-wage jobs while supporting her son.

Michaelene and her son

Apartment & mortgage costs have so exponentially risen since the 1990s that it leavesthe present minimum federal & state wages way behind cost-of-living recovery from rise in basic household expenses, and health care premiums & out-of-pocket expenses required for family members' care for improving to their potential.

I worked from when I was twelve and my mom recovered with physical, speech & occupational therapies [from] a cardiac arrest during surgery. Worked for my dad, Sears, The Bon Marche, University of Washington Health Sciences, VA Medical Ctr., Preschool Care Centers., Seattle Urban League Education secretary and King County council & land use office technician. Worked part-time at V.A. Medical Center. to return for A.S. and, eventually bachelor and education degrees. Could not survive on a beginning teacher salary in 1987 & raise my son having speech-language cerebral palsy, ADHD & high-functional Autism Spectrum Disorder. I had to constantly advocate with government and insurance agencies for son's therapies while holding my 35-40 hour of work a week and tending to my son's personal growth, education & medical prescriptions.

Even a small amount of increased wages would allow families to cover utility bills increased through no fault of their own, gas tank fill-up for transportation to work, transit pass for half or a full month (if service available), one time a month family dinner out (supporting community economy), paying for needed family member caregiving (supporting economy), a few dollars in a savings jar or account for unexpected expenses of accidents, a family recreational activity, paying a class for training & self-improvement, plus so much more.

-Michaelene, Port Orchard

Do you want to speak up too? tell us why you support I-1433!

Secure Scheduling is Headed to a Full Seattle City Council Vote

Secure Scheduling had its most critical victory yet yesterday, and an end to unpredictable, unstable scheduling practices could come to an end next Monday!

the 9/13 Committee meeting on secure scheduling

Yesterday Working Washington and our allies have gotten secure scheduling legislation moved out of committee to a final, full vote of the Seattle City Council. And guess what?  It was a unanimous decision. This is no longer a long shot or wishful thinking; a vote for real, substantive change for thousands of workers is happening in less than week.  Here’s four things you should know:

1. Workers got this done: Through hundreds of emails, letters, phone calls, and public comments to the city council, we were able to show the city council this is more than an idea...it’s a necessity. This is people power, plain and simple.

2. This is a huge deal: Not since the $15 minimum wage increase has such important legislation for workers been considered in Seattle.

3. Can’t stop, won’t stop: The Seattle secure scheduling legislation being proposed is so strong that it could serve as not just a model for the rest of the state, but the nation

4. You can still help: Don’t miss out on the action thinking you woulda, coulda, shoulda helped. Hop on the bandwagon! Donate here (I mean, come on, you knew we’d ask) or take a minute to sign onto our letter to the council before the vote.

This coming Monday, the 19th at 2 pm, a lot of lives could change for the better in Seattle with this vote. Thanks for making that go from a possibility to an inevitably.

It's On! Secure Scheduling Guidelines Release Points To Coming Victory

Workers in the city of Seattle are on the cusp of bringing a groundbreaking set of laws into reality.

Yesterday Mayor Murray, Councilmember Herbold and Councilmember Gonzalez proposed secure scheduling guidelines which would provide thousands of Seattle workers with balanced and flexible work schedules.  With a city council meeting scheduled that same morning, Working Washington members knew it was important to rally around this necessary step and give their support.  Dozens of Working Washington members and supporters showed for a press conference at the doors of city hall, applauding the decision of the council and stating unequivocally that workers in Seattle would keep pushing the city in the right direction until their needs for flexible and secure schedules were met.  We didn't stop there though; we went right into the city council meeting and made sure our voices were heard during public commentary to the tune of over a dozen speakers in favor of secure scheduling.

This didn't happen by accident; baristas and fast food workers have been rallying in the streets, speaking at the secure scheduling hearings, and sharing stories of how unpredictable and unstable schedules have affected them led to a proposal which addresses:

• Two weeks advance notice of schedules so we can plan our lives
• Predictability pay so that we are compensated for changes that affect our lives on short notice
• Shift swapping so we can keep the flexibility of trading shifts with our co-workers
• Right to rest so that we aren’t forced to clopen and can get a healthy amount of sleep and tend to our lives in-between shifts, without affecting split shifts or doubles
• Access to hours for employees that want more shifts, before additional part-timers are brought on

But we're not done, and we need to make sure these guidelines become law.  In the past day alone, over 100 Seattle residents have added their name to our petition calling on City Council to make these guidelines into law.

Click to add your name and join them.

And then please join us next Tuesday, August 16th, for an evening session of major public hearing on secure scheduling at City Hall from 5-7 PM.