Seattle’s economy is booming: construction everywhere, crowded streets and transit, housing costs soaring, bustling neighborhood restaurants, and a 2.6% unemployment rate. Much of this growth is driven by high wage-tech jobs and the spillover effect of all those workers eating out, shopping, and paying premium prices. It’s in this context that Seattle instituted its higher […]
Minimum wage
Raising wages statewide is a job for We The People
Over the next couple weeks, young people across the region will be graduating with new degrees and high hopes for the future. They are competing for jobs in an economy where the contrast between the the haves and have nots is stark. The occupations projected to have the most job openings in King County and […]
We can assure a good quality of life for all
What are the elements of a good quality of life? Good, accessible and affordable health care. Being able to pay your bills. Living in a welcoming home. Having a job with a wage that reflects the value of your work. Knowing your kids can get a good education in our public school system, our community […]
Voter support clear for wage, sick leave legislation
The just-concluded elections helped to resolve nothing in our state. We will have a small Republican majority in the state Senate and a small Democratic majority in the state House. They won’t agree on much of anything. Perhaps the Legislature can take a few hints from other states and cities around the country. In Arkansas, […]
Increase wages to protect Social Security Trust Fund
This week the Social Security Trustees reported that our FICA contributions plus interest, net of all benefits paid out, have increased the Social Security Trust Fund by $32 billion. The trustees also forecast that Social Security benefits are completely sustainable for the next two decades. The media hasn’t played these reports up much, perhaps because […]
Legislature’s turn to raise minimum wage
If you are awake at 4 a.m. these days, you will notice the sky is already getting a little light. As you go to sleep at 11 p.m. you can still make out some light in the night sky. We are at the beginning of our summer in the Northwest, and it is a great […]
Boycott Seattle burger chains on Feb 20
Seattle fast food workers have called for a citywide boycott of the big burger chains — McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s — on February 20th in support of a $15 an hour wage that boosts the economy and lifts workers out of poverty. Join us: Pack your lunch, spread the word, and show support for […]
Sat. Feb 15, help fight for $15, in Seattle
EIU 775 Headquarters 215 Columbia St. Seattle, WA 98104 Sat. Jan 15 at 2:00 PM From the facebook page: Join 15 Now to launch a group in your neighborhood to educate, mobilize and help raise the Fight for 15 to the next level! The Fight for 15 in Seattle has been gathering momentum, but winning […]
Seattle campaign for $15/Hour – Jan 12, 2014, Labor Temple
Five talks from the 15 speakers: Kshama Sawant, David Freiboth, Joe Higgins (MP, Socialist Party Ireland), Robby Stern, Exec. Board of the Wa State Labor Council and Pres, PSARA, and Philip Locker, Socialist Alternative on organizing the $15 campaign NOW.
The long march for a $15/hr minimum wage
Last Thursday, on one of the coldest days in years, more than 100 fast food workers & community allies marched all the way from SeaTac to Seattle City Hall for $15 an hour — that’s 13+ miles and the temperature never got above freezing. A day-long march in the bone-chilling cold may sound pretty rough, […]