BossFeed Briefing for July 16, 2018. Last Monday, right-wing judge Brett Kavanaugh was nominated for a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. Last Wednesday, updated financial disclosures showed the campaign to repeal Seattle's tax on big businesses spent $500,000, with a substantial portion of that half-million going to Trump campaign consultant “Morning in America.” Today is Prime Day, an imaginary holiday with real impacts on the lives of people who work at Amazon distribution centers. And this Thursday, a Seattle City Council committee is set to vote on our groundbreaking domestic workers bill of rights.
Above: Papa John's outgoing CEO with Vice President Mike Pence, in 2017.
Three things to know this week:
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that under threat of lawsuit, seven major fast food chains are eliminating “no poach” provisions that prevent employees at one franchise location from getting hired at a different location. Working Washington member Merlee Sherman was there to share her perspective & support as a Jimmy John’s worker
In a big win for the chain restaurant lobby, the Washington D.C. City Council is could re-establish a subminimum wage for workers who receive tips. This move would repeal an initiative to establish one fair wage for all workers, which voters in the district passed by a substantial margin less than a month ago.
Papa John’s founding CEO, who is actually named John, was fired after using a racial slur during a discussion of how to get him to stop saying unacceptable things. Previously, the owner of a Papa John's outlet in New York was jailed for minimum wage violations.
Two things to ask:
What’s it like to work in the gig economy? Gig workers with Working Washington are holding an online speak out this Wednesday to share their experiences on the leading edge of the changing economy. RSVP here to join the livestream and hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.
What’s the opposite of trickle down? The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that from June 2017 to June 2018, average hourly earnings for nonsupervisory employees actually declined, after accounting for inflation. Meanwhile, corporations are spending billions to buy back their own stock to enrich shareholders.
And one thing that's worth a closer look:
In many ways domestic work has always been part of the gig economy, argues Alex Rosenblatt in the New York Times — it’s long been precarious & poorly paid work in the gray area of the labor market. Today, the approximately 2 million domestic workers in the U.S are frequently dispatched by app too. Much like dating services, these app platforms for nannies and other domestic workers require a regular online presence, thoughtfully composed profiles, numerous “get to know you” messages, and more. And while app-based job sites can mean a larger pool of opportunities and more transparency about pay, they can also create new barriers to people with limited internet access or limited skills in written english — all of which has the potential to radically transform the future of the industry, without the people doing the work having a say in that future.
Read this far?
Consider yourself briefed, boss.
Let us know what you think about this week's look at the world of work, wages, and inequality!