Title
City Staff Update on Council Exploration of City Mandated Minimum Wage and Worker’s Bill of Rights
Report
Issue:
Briefing from City staff on Council exploration of a city mandated minimum wage and Worker’s Bill of Rights
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Interim Assistant City Manager, 360.753.8046
Presenter(s):
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director
Background and Analysis:
The City Council has 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. The letter also outlines the organizations’ intent to place a ballot initiative addressing the above proposals before Olympia voters in November 2025.
On September 16, 2024 the Finance Committee of the City Council discussed the subject and a potential timeline to advance potential initiatives in response to the request.
The purpose of this agenda item is for Staff to inform the Advisory Committee of the latest information concerning this matter.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Staff anticipates broad community interest in this topic. At this time Council has articulated that they are in exploration mode and will be developing a public engagement process as a part of their decision making.
Options:
1. Have the staff presentation
2. Do not have the staff presentation
Financial Impact:
While there is a broader financial impact with the potential implementation of a mandated minimum wage or Worker’s Bill of Rights, there is no financial impact associated with staff giving an informatory presentation to the PBIA Advisory Board.
Attachments:
Letter to City Council: Workers’ Bill of Rights