Working Washington issues the following statement in advance of this afternoon’s scheduled 2:00 pm vote by City Council to pass a $15 minimum wage for Seattle:
We did it!
A year ago, hundreds of fast food workers in Seattle went on strike for $15 and the right to organize, sparking a new movement to remake our poverty-wage economy.
Six months ago, SeaTac workers won the vote on Proposition 1, which sets a $15 minimum wage for transportation & hospitality workers in and around our airport.
And today, Seattle City Council is set to ratify the central demand of the fast food workers movement by passing a $15 minimum wage — becoming the first big city to commit to the principle that everyone should be able to support themselves, afford the basics, and contribute to the economy.
When Seattle fast food workers with Working Washington first called for $15, many thought it was well out of reach — an impossible dream, not a realistic demand. But the bold leadership of fast food workers, airport workers, grocery workers, and others transformed the public debate and changed what was possible.
A year ago, $15 was just a number on fast food strikers' picket signs. Today it’s set to become reality for 100,000 Seattle workers.
Low-wage workers available for interview before and after vote
Some of the fast food workers who helped spark the movement for $15 will be available this morning — as well as before the 2pm City Council vote and immediately afterwards — to share their stories about what it took to achieve this landmark victory, and how $15 will change their lives,
To arrange an interview, contact Sage Wilson, Working Washington: sage@workingwa.org
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Working Washington unites low-wage workers to fight for a fair economy where everyone can support themselves, afford the basics, and contribute to the economy. We launched the fast food workers’ movement in Seattle with the May 30, 2013 strikes; helped lead the successful campaign to pass $15 in SeaTac; and work in coalition with unions, faith groups, and other organizations to hold corporations accountable to community needs.
Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org