Title
Workers’ Affordability & Protections Discussion
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
In 2024, the Finance Committee forwarded workers’ affordability and protection to the full City Council for further consideration and direction to staff.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing and discuss workers’ affordability and protections and determine next steps.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing and discuss workers’ affordability and protections and determine next steps.
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Assistant City Manager, City Manager’s Office, 360.753.8046
Presenter(s):
Stacey Ray, Assistant City Manager
Jennica Machado, Economic Development Director
Background and Analysis:
In 2024, the City Council (Council) Finance Committee began a discussion on addressing minimum wage, predictive scheduling and workplace safety to help address concerns about the cost of living and job safety for lower wage earners in Olympia. In late 2024, Council received a significant amount of community input on an initial draft project scope and timeline, with many commenters concerned about the pace at which the process was moving forward and the ability for those impacted to participate in the dialogue and decision-making.
In response, Council directed staff to slow the process and move forward with only scoping and research in 2025. The process was then paused in early mid-2025 when a citizen-led initiative was placed on the November election ballot. The initiative included specific solutions packaged into what supporters called a “Workers’ Bill of Rights.” It outlined specific changes the City would be required to implement, such as an increase in minimum wage, requirements for predictive scheduling, and enhanced workplace safety measures.
Proposition 1 failed to pass; however, Council directed staff to include workers’ affordability and protections as an item on their Annual Work Plan and continue with research and community engagement in 2026.
On July 14, 2026, staff shared with Council a reenvisioned timeline and approach for this work effort intended to address earlier community and Council concerns about timing and participation. It outlined an initial phase for conducting research, data gathering, and doing some early stakeholder engagement to help clarify the problem and key issues that the community and Council want to consider addressing.
The proposal considered the necessary capacity and resources to lead a meaningful and effective dialogue with the community on this complex and high-profile topic.
Council’s response to the proposal and direction to staff was to move forward in completing some initial research on low-wage earners in Olympia; and postpone community engagement until after a study session to review and discuss the research findings and determine how to proceed.
The purpose of this agenda item is to review the initial research findings, clarify the issue(s) Council wishes for this process to address, and determine how to proceed. The conversation may also include if additional research is needed, input on stakeholder and community engagement, and what, if any, specific potential solution(s) that should be included in the scope.
Climate Analysis:
Conducting research and stakeholder engagement on workers’ affordability & protections is not anticipated to produce any significant impacts to climate.
Equity Analysis:
Community members and Councilmembers have brought forward these topics for consideration with the intent to improve conditions and livability for employees who make the lowest wages in the region, including the current Washington state minimum wage of $17.13 per hour. Findings from the United Way on ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households state that while ALICE households are diverse, financial hardship is felt more substantially by Black, Indigenous and People of Color in Washington, calling attention to inequities in the state and local economies.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
As demonstrated by the very significant amount of community input received by City staff and Council on this topic over the last two years, workers’ affordability and protections, and particularly the solutions identified in the citizen-led initiative, including an increase to minimum wage, predictive scheduling, and workplace safety requirements, are of high interest and impact to many sectors and members of the community. There is and will continue to be significant local and regional interest in this issue.
Financial Impact:
There is no predetermined estimate or funding specifically allocated to this work effort. The initial research element’s total cost is $12,000 and will be assumed within the Assistant City Manager’s professional services budget. If needed, phase two funding and resources will be determined after further refinement of the research and engagement scope with the City Council.
Options:
1. Receive a briefing and discuss workers’ affordability and protections and determine next steps.
2. Do not receive a briefing and discuss workers’ affordability and protections.
3. Receive a briefing and direct staff to return to Council, or through referral to a Council Committee, to discuss further developed concepts, research and/or recommendations for how to proceed.
Attachments:
None