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. ...
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