This Tri-Cities restaurant owner says the sky will fall if the minimum wage goes to $13.50/hour — after saying the same thing about increases to $8.67, $9.04, $9.32, and $12
For at least the sixth time in the past six years, the owners of one Kennewick restaurant have predicted that the sky will fall if the minimum wage increases to $8.67, $9.04, $9.32, $12, $13.50, and more… and yet the sky has remained aloft. In fact, jobs and business continue to grow in the Washington restaurant industry.
Read More6 cents or $1.53 — that's quite a choice
The state has run its calculations and on January 1st, the state's minimum wage will rise 6 whole cents to $9.53/hour — which isn't enough to support yourself anywhere in our state. But if voters pass Initiative 1433, Washington workers will see a minimum wage of $11.00/hour on January 1, 2017, on the way to $13.50 over four years. It's quite a choice.
Read MoreRaise the minimum wage and raise up Washington with Initiative 1433
When passed, I-1433 will raise up Washington workers and Washington’s economy 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. Raising wages is good for workers and it’s good for the economy too. After all, when more people have more money, that means more customers for more businesses. And that raises up everyone!
Read MoreWhy 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!
History Made: Seattle passes groundbreaking secure scheduling law by unanimous vote
By a unanimous vote, Seattle made labor history once again by passing secure scheduling — the first new labor standard to address weekly work schedules since overtime pay became law in the 1930s. This landmark victory in Seattle is only the beginning in the fight for balanced and flexible schedules in Washington State and across the country
Read MoreTODAY: Seattle to make labor history with final vote to pass secure scheduling legislation
“Secure scheduling is the the first new labor standard to address weekly work schedules since overtime pay became law in the 1930s. Seattle is breaking new ground that will change the balance of power in coffee, food, and retail workplaces across the city." — Sejal Parikh, Executive Director, Working Washington
Read MoreSecure 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.
Key Council vote on secure scheduling as two new studies underscore extent & impact of issue
A key Seattle City Council committee is set to vote Tuesday morning on whether or not to advance who would be the nation’s strongest secure scheduling ordinance to a vote of the full council — at the same time as two new reports underscore the extent and impact of unstable & insecure schedules.
Read MoreSeattle makes the case for secure scheduling — in less than three minutes
Watch Seattle make the case for secure scheduling — in less than three minutes!
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