Seattle Human Services Coalition, Working Washington, SEIU 925, and Kids First Seattle agree: "we know that those who work in poverty-wage jobs and those who receive human services can be the very same people."
Worker & human services groups issue joint statement in support of raising wages and strengthening services
Working Washington, the Seattle Human Services Coalition, SEIU 925, and Kids First Seattle have issued a joint statement reiterating a shared commitment to reach a $15 minimum wage for Seattle. The complete statement affirms united support of a $15 minimum wage for Seattle that lifts workers out of poverty, boosts the economy, and strengthens people’s abilities to meet their basic human needs, including through a strong human services network.
"The current citywide conversation about income inequality and the minimum wage should not be used to pit one low income group against another, because we know that those who work in poverty-wage jobs and those who receive human services can be the very same people," the organizations explain. "Thousands of low-wage workers can't feed themselves without help from food banks, and can't possibly afford early childhood education for their children without public support. And at $9.32 an hour, a housing crisis is never more than a paycheck away.”
The joint statement expresses full support of the five specific actions the Seattle Human Services Coalition calls for in their report on implementing a $15 minimum wage:
- Include non-profit human service employees in any recommended increases to the minimum wage.
- Ensure that wage standards and city contract requirements do not lead to a reduction of needed human services.
- Increase local investments in pay equity, including human services employees.
- Move the discussion beyond an hourly wage to examine the broader issue of income inequality in our region.
- Set a base wage that does not include other forms of compensation.
The complete joint statement is available online.
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Contact: - Steve Daschle, Co-Chair, Seattle Human Services Coalition: sdaschle@swyfs.org - Sage Wilson, Working Washington: sage@workingwa.org