Title
Discussion of a Scope for Research on Minimum Wage, Fair Scheduling and Workplace Safety
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Discussion only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to discuss a scope for research on a minimum wage increase, fair scheduling, and enhanced workplace safety in Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Assistant City Manager, City Manager’s Office, 360.753.8046.
Presenter(s):
Stacey Ray, Assistant City Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City Council has been exploring ways to improve local economic opportunity and resiliency for community members since 2015. At that time, the intent was to catalyze a regional conversation on workplace wages, sick and safe leave, and predictability of work scheduling. Council did not take formal action.
Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, a regional coalition of stakeholders came together to address economic response and recovery for businesses and community members in Thurston County. A 24-month plan, including strategies to address major economic stability challenges exposed by the pandemic, was developed and implemented.
As a next step, the City of Olympia embarked on developing its own strategies to address local economic opportunity and resiliency. Known as Olympia Strong, the resulting strategies were accepted by Council on September 10, 2024, as the City’s priorities for creating and maintaining economic opportunity for those struggling in our community.
In 2024, the Council received a letter from the Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 367 requesting consideration of a “Workers’ Bill of Rights.” The document outlines various proposals aimed at expanding worker protections, including raising the minimum wage, ensuring fair scheduling, and improving workplace safety.
At Council’s September 16, 2024, Finance Committee meeting, Committee members discussed an initial draft scope, process and timeline for considering an increase in minimum wage. In response to a significant amount of input from the community, the Finance Committee on October 7, refined its approach to include next a discussion on the entirety of the Workers’ Bill of Rights with the full Council.
The full Council discussed whether to direct staff to move forward with addressing a Workers’ Bill of Rights at a study session on October 22, 2024, subsequently determining to weigh this work item against other Council priorities and make a decision during their annual retreat on January 25.
After a discussion on process, timing, and resource needs, Council directed staff to move forward in 2025 with only scoping and conducting research, including such steps as further understanding what’s been implemented in other cities and conducting an economic impact analysis specific to Olympia.
The purpose of this agenda item is for the Finance Committee to determine what questions and information they want to guide the research slated to be completed this year.
Climate Analysis:
There are no anticipated climate impacts from developing a scope for researching a minimum wage increase, fair scheduling, and enhanced workplace safety in Olympia.
Equity Analysis:
Community members bringing forward these topics for Council consideration are doing so with the intent to improve conditions and livability for employees who make the lowest wages in the region. Scoping a thorough and equitable research phase will contribute to a more informed understanding of potential impacts to workers, businesses of various sizes and different industries, and other kinds of employers, such as non-profits, and other government entities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Staff and Councilmembers have experienced significant community interest in these topics, as they will impact working conditions for lower-wage earners, such as the retail, grocery, and food service business sectors, as well as the owners/operators and customers of those businesses. Any proposed process will include further economic impact and demographic analysis to better understand and consider who is impacted most and how by all potential options.
Financial Impact:
There is no funding request associated with developing and implementing a scope of work for researching minimum wage, fair scheduling, and workplace safety. Staff and professional services support for this work effort will primarily come from existing resources within the City Manager’s Office.
Options:
Discussion only; no action requested.
Attachments:
None