Councilmembers will hear directly from workers about how a $15 minimum wage would change their lives
SEATTLE, 2/6/2014 - Fast food workers will bring their real-life stories about trying to survive on McPoverty wages straight to the city councilmembers who are considering a $15 minimum wage for Seattle. Workers will then make two direct requests of councilmembers, asking:
1) Will they support a $15 minimum wage for Seattle that boosts the economy and lifts workers out of poverty?
2) Will they join a citywide day of action against McPoverty on February 20th? (Workers will announce more information about the action on Thursday morning.)
Who: Seattle fast food worker-leaders at the forefront of the fight for a $15 minimum wage
What: Head to City Hall to share their stories with City Councilmembers and ask for their support in the fight for a $15 minimum wage.
When & Where: Thursday, February 6, 2014. - 9:30 am: Brief program — including announcement of upcoming citywide event — held in Working Washington offices, 719 3rd Ave (between Columbia & Cherry). Media availability may be arranged beginning at 9:00 am — contact for details. - 10:15 am: Walk over to City Hall for meetings with Councilmembers. Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
In recent weeks, the movement for a higher minimum wage has continued to build momentum. Last week, President Obama took executive action to raise wages for more than 200,000 workers. Just yesterday at the State Capitol, McDonald’s worker Brittany Phelps offered testimony about what it’s like to raise a daughter on minimum wage, while living in a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom house with 7 other people. And Thursday, the call for $15 will once again be heard in Seattle City Hall.
More information:
- Education is not the answer when the fastest-growing jobs pay poverty wages: Updated Federal data shows that 8 of the 10 the fastest-growing jobs pay poverty wages — average wages of less than $15/hour. A ninth job pays just barely more than $31,200 a year, the full-time equivalent of $15/hour. Most require little if any education beyond high school.
- Lower wages hurt the economy: New retail sales data shows the negative impact of inequality on the economy as a whole. And Google CEO Eric Schmidt recently told the World Economic Forum in Davos that wage stagnation is holding back growth.
- What if the odds are never in your favor?: A survey of job data shows that less than 10% of people who work for certain low-wage employers ever land a living-wage job.
Sparked by the 2013 fast food strikes and the landmark victory of SeaTac Proposition 1, Good Jobs Seattle seeks to build a sustainable future for Seattle’s economy from the middle out — by turning poverty-wage jobs in fast food and other industries into good jobs that pay enough for workers to support themselves and contribute to the local economy. Good Jobs Seattle is supported by Working Washington, SEIU Healthcare 775NW, OneAmerica, Teamsters 117, Washington CAN! and hundreds of workers and community members across the city.
###
Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org