Four steps WA can take to address the crisis in our unemployment system, provide economic security, protect public, and address inequities

With COVID cases spiking and unemployment claims rising, we are calling for the state to take four concrete steps address the crisis in our unemployment system to provide economic security, protect public health, and address inequities for communities of color:

  1. A moratorium on collections, garnishments, and “overpayment” notices.

  2. Audit, review and correct claims that have fallen through the cracks.

  3. Prioritize paying benefits quickly.

  4. Accountability & transparency.

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Protecting the results of this election

In Washington state, we know from experience that vote-by-mail is a reliable and secure system — and we also know that it can take some time to count every ballot. This year, with so many states around the country voting by mail for the first time, we can’t expect to see final results on Election Night. This election won’t be decided until every vote has been counted, no matter how long that takes.

But President Trump has spent the last several months questioning the validity of mail-in voting, and has repeatedly refused to say he’ll accept the results if he loses.

Find out how we can organize to protect the results.

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Undocumented workers can now apply for financial relief from the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund

We’re over seven months into the COVID crisis, and undocumented workers in our state still haven’t seen any form of government relief — but that’s about to change. Today, undocumented workers can begin applying for the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund, which will provide long-overdue direct financial relief to undocumented immigrants who have been barred by federal rules from receiving stimulus checks and unemployment insurance.

Undocumented workers in Washington can now apply to receive a one-time direct payment of $1,000 (with a maximum of $3000 per household). Applications will close on December 6, 2020.

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Two big changes for workers' rights coming on January 1st

There are two big changes for workers’ rights coming next year. On January 1st, the Washington state minimum wage rises to $13.69/hour, as part of a planned increase to keep up with inflation. (Tipped workers, this same rate applies to you.)

And there’s another major change on the way: In 2021, tens of thousands more salaried workers will have the right to overtime protections. This comes after a successful multi-year campaign by workers with Working Washington to restore our state’s overtime protections for overworked and underpaid salaried workers. Now, the first step of the overtime expansion is set to take effect.

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Wildfire smoke and your right to paid sick days // el humo de los incendios forestales y los días pagados de enfermedad

Attention Washington workers: you have the right to take paid sick time to protect your health from the wildfire smoke currently choking our state.

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Atención trabajadores en Washington: tienen el derecho de tomar tiempo de enfermedad pagado para proteger su salud del humo de los incendios forestales, que actualmente está amenazando a todos partes de nuestro estado.

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Washington State’s nonexistent plan to protect outdoor workers from dangerous wildfire smoke

Economic security is central to public health. But as smoke chokes the state & health officials urge people to stay inside, what is the state's plan to protect the health and safety of people whose work requires them to be outside?

There is no plan.

Many workers — like farmworkers, delivery workers, sanitation workers, construction workers & others — simply can't "stay inside" and do their jobs. So, they’re left to hope for goodwill from companies...the same companies that often pay them low wages & ignore their basic rights.

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Washington State is stepping up to provide relief for undocumented workers

After months of relentless organizing by undocumented workers and a broad coalition of 430 organizations, we’re celebrating a hard-fought win: Governor Inslee just announced $40 million in direct relief for undocumented workers. The newly-created Washington Worker Relief Fund will provide one-time cash assistance of up to $1000/person. With this fund, Washington joins California and Oregon as the only states to provide relief to undocumented workers.

It’s about time. The Washington Worker Relief Fund will put much-needed money into the hands of thousands of undocumented workers, who haven’t seen any government relief since the pandemic took hold in March.


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