Worker & human services groups issue joint statement backing $15 minimum wage

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

What to expect when you're expecting a $15 minimum wage

What to expect at today's public hearing on raising wages to $15/hour

Joint public hearing of City Council and Income Inequality Advisory Committee Wednesday, March 5, 2014 Doors open at 5:00 pm, event begins at 6:00 pm

  • Beginning at 4:30 pm, low-wage workers will be available outside Town Hall as they prepare to speak out about how a raise to $15/hour would change their lives and boost the economy. While the event does not officially begin until 6:00 pm, doors open at 5:00 and we anticipate a line may form early.
  • This is the first — and perhaps the only — joint public hearing on $15 to be held by the city council & the mayor’s income inequality advisory committee.
  • Just out on Bloomberg today re: job growth & minimum wage: Highest Minimum-Wage State Washington Beats US in Job Creation
  • We don’t anticipate testimony from McDonald’s, Target, or Walgreen’s, because they make unsympathetic spokespeople — even though two-thirds of low-wage workers are employed by large corporations with more than 100 employees.
  • We do anticipate that poverty-wage workers from healthcare, retail, fast food, childcare, and other industries will share their stories about the realities of trying to support their families on low wages, and how a raise to $15/hour would change their lives.
  • 68% of Seattle voters support $15/hour, according to a recent poll by EMC Research.
  • Despite the same old sky-is-falling stories that we’ve heard in debates over paid sick, wage theft, and even the plastic bag ban, real-world studies consistently show that higher wages are good for the economy. Consumer spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that a worker getting a raise from $9.32/hour to $15/hour will:
    • increase spending at restaurants by 55%
    • increase spending on automobiles by 79%
    • increase spending on books by 26%
  • An hourly wage of $17.56 would be required to afford fair market rent of $913/month on a 1-bedroom apartment in the Seattle area, assuming a full-time 40-hour-a-week schedule.
  • The poorest 20% of Seattle households have income of only $13,000 a year. The top 5% average $423,000.
  • More facts & figures available online.
  • To arrange low-wage worker media availability, contact Sage Wilson, Working Washington: sage@workingwa.org.

Added bonus: $15 public hearing bingo!

Seattle workers to speak out for higher pay & a stronger economy at public hearing on $15 minimum wage

Federal data shows dramatic 55% boost to restaurant spending & similar increases in other categories as income rises from $9.32/hour to $15/hour

Healthcare workers, retail workers, fast food workers, childcare providers, and other supporters of $15 for Seattle will speak out about how a $15 minimum wage will change their lives at Wednesday’s public hearing on the minimum wage, hosted jointly by the City Council and the mayor’s income inequality advisory committee at Town Hall Seattle.

Beginning at 4:30 pm, workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle will be outside the event preparing to give testimony about what low-wage workers will do with a $15 wage. See our fact sheet for more information on how higher wages boost spending at bookstores, restaurants, and other businesses.

Who: Poverty-wage workers and $15 for Seattle supporters

What: Speak out at the first — and maybe only — public hearing on the $15 minimum wage

When: Wednesday, March 5, 2014. Workers and supporters will be outside the event beginning at 4:30 pm. Media availability earlier in the day may be arranged: contact Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org.

Where: Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Avenue (at Seneca Street), Seattle, WA 98101. (Even though this is an official hearing it is at Town Hall, not at City Hall.

More information:

Despite the same old sky-is-falling stories that we’ve heard in debates over paid sick, wage theft, and even the plastic bag ban, real-world studies consistently show that higher wages are good for the economy. After all, more people with more money means more customers for every business out there.

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Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org.

Final details for Thursday's Boycott McPoverty boycott lines & mid-day rally

THURSDAY: “Boycott McPoverty” echoes across Seattle in support of a $15/hour wage Major boycott lines during breakfast, lunch, and dinner across the city, with presence at all 25 big burger outlets in Seattle

Beginning this morning and continuing all day, fast food workers, fast food customers, and other supporters will launch boycott lines across Seattle as part of the citywide call to Boycott McPoverty by not eating at McDonald's, Burger King, or Wendy's to show support for a $15/hour wage in fast food and for all workers.

This major citywide event also includes a lunchtime outreach effort outside all 25 McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s outlets in the city.

Hi-resolution photos and other media info on dropbox, including images of boycott signs, brown bag and banner events earlier this week, a copy of the flyer being handed out to customers, and a big burger franchise fact sheet.

Major boycott lines today with signs, banners, balloons, and other visual interest

BREAKFAST: 

7:15 am: McDonald’s – First Hill (1122 Madison St). Note: this restaurant recently won an award from McDonald’s for having the greatest amount of breakfast business in the area.

EARLY LUNCH: 

11:15 am: Wendy’s - Lake City (11744 Lake City Way NE) 11:15 am: McDonald’s - University Village (5146 25th Ave NE) 11:15 am: Burger King - Ballard (1432 NW Market St). Note: there are nearby McDonald’s and Wendy’s locations.  11:15 am: Wendy’s - Mt Baker (2543 Rainier Ave S). Note: there are nearby McDonald’s and Burger King locations.

LATE LUNCH (AND RALLY)

1:15 pm: McDonald’s - Downtown (3rd & Pine). A pro-$15, anti-McPoverty rally is planned outside the store for this time.

DINNER/DESSERT: 

5:15 pm: McDonald’s - West Seattle/Admiral (3003 California Ave SW)

Complete map of all 25 big burger outlets available online at mcpoverty.com

More information:

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Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington: sage@workingwa.org

Call to Boycott McPoverty & support a $15/hour wage to echo all day Thursday at big burger outlets across Seattle

Fast food workers and supporters to have presence at every big burger outlet in the city, with major lines at busiest locations

With substantial boycott lines in multiple locations throughout the day and a presence outside every big burger outletduring the lunch rush, fast food workers, fast food customers, and other $15 for Seattle supporters will make sure the whole city hears to call to Boycott McPoverty and support Thursday’s one-day boycott of poverty wages at McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s.

Bositerous boycott lines will be mounted outside numerous restaurants from end to end of the city during their busiest times (listed below). There will also be a boycott presence at all 25 big burger chain outlets across the city during the lunch rush.

BREAKFAST: 7:15 am: McDonald’s – First Hill (1122 Madison St). Note: this restaurant recently won an award from McDonald’s for having the greatest amount of breakfast business in the area.

EARLY LUNCH: 11:15 am: Wendy’s - Lake City (11744 Lake City Way NE) 11:15 am: McDonald’s - University Village (5146 25th Ave NE) 11:15 am: Burger King - Ballard (1432 NW Market St) 11:15 am: Wendy’s - Mt Baker (2543 Rainier Ave S)

LATE LUNCH: 1:15 pm: McDonald's - Downtown (3rd & Pine)

DINNER: 5:15 pm: McDonald's - West Seattle/Admiral District (3003 California Ave SW)

More information:

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Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington: sage@workingwa.org

Grassroots outreach accelerates in advance of Thursday’s “Boycott McPoverty” event

25-foot-long banner over I-5 during rush hour, leafletting outside stores, and more

With 25-foot-long banners over I-5, thousands of flyers, person-to-person outreach at fast food restaurants and more, the call to Boycott McPoverty continues to sweep through Seattle today.

Today’s grassroots effort comes a day after fast food workers and supporters handed out brown “Boycott McPoverty” lunch bags at Westlake Park, reaching huge numbers of downtown workers & shoppers with the call to join Thursday’s citywide big burger boycott & support the $15 movement by not eating at McDonald’s, Burger King, or Wendy’s that day.

Who: Fast food workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle

What: Banner, leaflet, poster, and reach out to fast food customers to support Thursday’s citywide Boycott McPovertyeffort

When & Where: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at multiple locations. - 7:30am - 8:30am: Giant 25-foot-long banner on Madison St overpass over northbound I–5 traffic, and Olive Way overpass over southbound I–5 traffic. - ongoing throughout the day: leafleting & postering in multiple neighborhoods outside various fast food restaurants. - 5:00pm - 6:00 pm: Banners displayed in various locations across the city. Specific locations to be announced during the day. (Contact sage@workingwa.org, follow #mcpoverty on twitter or check our map for updates on specific leafleting, postering, and bannering events as the day goes on.)

Fast food workers have called for a one-day boycott of all 25 McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s locations within Seattle city limits as a show of support for raising pay to $15 an hour.

The three big burger chains make billions of dollars by serving billions of burgers to billions of customers – but they still pay their workers poverty wages. Higher wages would mean workers could afford to support themselves and pay for basics like food, rent, and transportation. Our economy would benefit too — because more people making more money means more customers for every business out there.

Leafletting, bannering, and other outreach will continue throughout the week, leading up to Thursday’s boycott at all 25 big burger chain locations in the city.

More information:

  • Higher-income people actually eat fast food more often that poor people — 51% of people with incomes above $75,000 report they eat fast food weekly, compared to only 39% of people with incomes below $20,000. (A full-time worker paid the Washington State minimum wage would have an income of $19,385/year.)
  • Organizations endorsing the call to Boycott McPoverty include Working Washington, Fifteen Now, Good Jobs Seattle, Martin Luther King County Labor Council, OneAmerica, People’s Institute NW, SEIU 775NW, SEIU 1199NW, Teamsters 117, Tyree Scott Freedom School, and Washington CAN.

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Contact: Sage Wilson, sage@workingwa.org

Fast food workers to hand out thousands of “Boycott McPoverty” lunch bags at Westlake

Spreading the word about citywide big burger boycott as $15 movement continues to build momentum

Seattle fast food workers will be at Westlake Park at lunch break Monday, handing out thousands of brown “Boycott McPoverty” lunch bags and asking downtown workers & shoppers to join a citywide big burger boycott on Thursday by not eating at McDonald’s, Burger King, or Wendy’s.

The one-day citywide boycott is the next step in the campaign to win $15 for Seattle — an effort which has the support of 68% of likely voters in the city, according to a recent poll by EMC Research.

Who: Fast food workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle

What: Hand out thousands of brown “Boycott McPoverty” lunch bags, asking downtown workers & shoppers to join the call for a one-day boycott of all 25 McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s in the city.

When: Monday, February 17, 2014, 11 am - 1 pm: lunchtime

Where: Westlake Park: Corner of 4th & Pine in downtown Seattle

Fast food workers have called for a one-day boycott of all 25 McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s locations within Seattle city limits as a show of support for raising pay to $15 an hour. More information about the big burger boycott set for Thursday at McPoverty.com

The three big burger chains make billions of dollars by serving billions of burgers to billions of customers – but they still pay their workers poverty wages. Higher wages would mean workers could afford to support themselves and pay for basics like food, rent, and transportation. Our economy would benefit too — because more people making more money means more customers for every business out there.

Leafletting, bannering, and other outreach will continue throughout the week, leading up to Thursday’s boycott at all 25 big burger chain locations in the city.

More information:

  • Higher-income people actually eat fast food more often that poor people — 51% of people with incomes above $75,000 report they eat fast food weekly, compared to only 39% of people with incomes below $20,000. (A full-time worker paid the Washington State minimum wage would have an income of $19,385/year.)
  • Organizations endorsing the call to Boycott McPoverty include Working Washington, Fifteen Now, Good Jobs Seattle, Martin Luther King County Labor Council, OneAmerica, People’s Institute NW, SEIU 775NW, SEIU 1199NW, Teamsters 117, Tyree Scott Freedom School, and Washington CAN.

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Contact: Sage Wilson: sage@workingwa.org, 206-227-6014

$15 minimum wage for Seattle wins backing of 68% of likely voters, new poll shows

Overwhelming support for $15 across every city council district

A new poll conducted by EMC Research finds a remarkable 68% citywide level of support for a $15 minimum wage among likely Seattle voters. Support is incredibly robust across every City Council district — and in several areas, fully 3 in 4 likely voters support for $15 for Seattle. (Specific highlights available online; EMC Research has also made their full polling memo publicly available.)

These remarkable results come little more than a week before "Boycott McPoverty," the February 20th one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) called by Seattle fast food workers. Boycott McPoverty will mark another step forward as momentum continues to build to lift workers out of poverty and boost the economy with $15 for Seattle.

Who: Seattle fast-food workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle What: Call on the city to "Boycott McPoverty" in a one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) that will build on the overwhelming support for $15 across the city. When: Thursday, February 20, 2014, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Where: Boycott lines outside multiple stores will be scheduled throughout the day at multiple locations across the city. Details available next week.

In less than 9 months, the Seattle fast food strikes have given birth to a wildly popular movement to boost the economy by ensuring workers are paid enough to support themselves. Back on May 30th, the day of the first strikes, the call for $15 was treated as a quixotic aspiration destined for failure. But after months of action by low-wage workers, voters in SeaTac and Seattle moved the issue dramatically forward on Election Day. Now, as Mayor Murray's task force discusses the best way to implement a $15 minimum wage, an overwhelming consensus has coalesced in support of the call for $15 initially raised in the fast food strikes.

Highlights of the EMC Research Poll:

  • 68% of likely Seattle voters support a $15 minimum wage vs. just 25% who oppose
  • Support is strong in every council district:
    • District 1 (West Seattle): 58% - 37%
    • District 2 (South Seattle): 74% - 17%
    • District 3 (Capitol Hill): 71% - 20%
    • District 4 (U District/Wallingford/Ravenna): 76% - 14%
    • District 5 (Northgate/North Seattle): 75% - 23%
    • District 6 (Ballard/Greenwood): 68% - 25%
    • District 7 (Queen Anne/Downtown): 60% - 32%
  • Strong enforcement rules (including fines) win 86% support
  • Three in four voters agree that "If workers in Seattle earn higher wages, our entire community benefits."
  • 71% agree that "A higher minimum wage helps local businesses because more workers making more money means they will have more money to spend."

About the poll:

  • The poll was conducted by EMC Research, a leading public opinion & market research firm, through a January 14 - 22 telephone survey of 805 likely November 2014 voters in Seattle, with a margin of error of 3.5%.
  • Polling was funded by a coalition of organizations & individuals supporting $15 for Seattle, including Working Washington, UFCW 21, Nick Hanauer, SEIU 1199NW, the Teamsters, and the MLK County Labor Council.

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Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org

Fast food workers call on Seattle to "Boycott McPoverty" on February 20th

Citywide big burger boycott will be next step forward for $15 movement

Calling on the public to "Boycott McPoverty" to support $15 for Seattle, fast food workers today announced plans for a citywide boycott of the big burger chains on February 20th. The big three chains (McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King) have a combined 25 locations within Seattle city limits.

The big corporate fast food chains bank billions of dollars a year while paying workers less than it takes to survive. Their McPoverty business model shifts costs to the public, puts downward pressure on wages, and suppresses consumer demand: you can't contribute much to the economy on a minimum wage paycheck.

"Because I make minimum wage I cannot afford daycare, healthcare, or my own place for me & my daughter," explained Brittany Phelps, who works at McDonald's in Seattle, where she's paid $9.32/hour. "Instead I live with 7 other people in a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment. I'm fighting for a $15 minimum wage so I can afford the basic necessities of life."

There's no question that McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's can afford to lead by example with a $15 minimum wage -- McDonald's alone banked $5.6 billion in profit last year. While the corporate brands make much of the profit and effectively control many store operations, the franchised stores in these chains are also typically owned by large corporations, each of which control dozens or even hundreds of locations.

By joining fast food workers to Boycott McPoverty on February 20th, the people of Seattle will show strong support for a $15 minimum wage that builds broad-based prosperity from the middle out.

Early supporters of the call to Boycott McPoverty February 20th include Working Washington, Fifteen Now, SEIU 775NW & 1199 NW, Teamsters 117, and Washington CAN.

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Contact: Sage Wilson: sage@workingwa.org

THURSDAY: Fast food workers head to City Hall, urge councilmembers to support $15 & fight McPoverty

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:

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.

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Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org