The vote on final passage was two hundred and nineteen to two hundred and twelve. All Republicans voted nay, and all but two Democrats voted aye.
Tag: Fair Wages & Benefits
Documentary Review: Robert Reich’s “Inequality for All” is an essential film
Read NPI’s review of Inequality For All, a film based on the work of progressive thought leader and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.
Manka Dhingra vs. Jinyoung Lee Englund: Two very different answers on pay equity
The fate of equal pay legislation in Washington State depends on the outcome of this year’s special election for state Senate in the 45th District.
Kittitas County Superior Court judge turns back constitutional challenge to I‑1433
A Superior Court judge in Kittitas County has turned back a constitutional challenge to I‑1433 filed by several trade associations, leaving new requirements for paid leave and increases to the state’s minimum wage in place. “[T]his Court is of the opinion that the Plaintiffs have failed to establish that I‑1433 has violated the Washington State Constitution […]
Familias Unidas por La Justicia ends Sakuma Farms boycott, unionization vote scheduled
Readers, here’s some very encouraging news from our brothers and sisters at Familias Unidas por La Justicia that we just received minutes ago: Dear Supporters: As of today, Sakuma Brothers Farms and Familias Unidas por La Justicia have mutually agreed to conduct a secret ballot election within the next 8 days. The election will determine if the […]
How would WA Republicans like it if *these* bills needed a two-thirds vote to pass?
Anyone who has spent time attempting to understand the politics of the Washington State Republican Party knows that Republicans spend an awful lot of time listening to (and taking their cues from) militant, right wing initiative profiteer Tim Eyman, who has become obsessed lately with gutting Washington’s cherished tradition of majority rule and replacing it […]
State Supreme Court rules that SeaTac’s Good Jobs Proposition applies to airport workers
Workers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport must be paid a minimum wage of $15/hour in accordance with the City of SeaTac’s Good Jobs law (Proposition #1, enacted by voters in 2013) the Washington State Supreme Court ruled today. In a 5–4 decision authored by Justice Susan Owens, the Court held the airport is not exempt from […]
#NN15: Ending Inequality For All
This panel, led by Charles Chamberlain, is a discussion on the issues of inequality in the workplace and how progressives can tackle these issues. Panelists include: Elba Diaz, Rep. Donna Edwards, Rep. Keith Ellison, Analilia Mejia, Amanda Monroe The country has turned a critical eye toward the historic gap between the 1 percent and the rest of […]
Washington State Legislature adjourns Sine Die, again (for real this time!)
Having reached agreement on the specifics of an operating budget, transportation package, and plan for delaying implementation of last year’s initiative to lower class size, the Washington State Legislature today adjourned its third special session sine die, with exhausted lawmakers and legislative staff breathing a sigh of relief. The Legislature began its 2015 session a […]
House of Representatives passes bills to raise minimum wage and provide sick + safe leave
In a significant victory for working people, the Washington’s House of Representatives tonight adopted legislation to raise the state’s minimum wage to twelve dollars an hour by 2019. Fifty-one representatives voted to pass HB 1355, while forty-six voted against passage. One representative was excused. The roll call was as follows: Voting Yea: Representatives Appleton, Bergquist, […]
Port dispute at an end? ILWU says tentative agreement reached on new contract with PMA
A dispute between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), a group of West Coast terminal operators, is at an end following successful negotiations on a new contract, the parties say. “After more than nine months of negotiations, we are pleased to have reached an agreement that is good for […]
Tim Eyman wants $2.2 million for statewide initiative to repeal $15/hour minimum wage
Remember back in June when Tim Eyman filed a statewide initiative to prevent cities like Seattle from raising the minimum wage above the level set by state law? Several media outlets, including the Puget Sound Business Journal, erroneously assumed — and then wrongfully reported — that Eyman was already collecting signatures for the measure, when in […]
Tim Eyman’s latest slew of initiatives includes scheme to end Seattle’s new $15/hour wage
Having apparently decided that it’s been too long since his initiative factory received any media coverage, Tim Eyman yesterday used a tried and tested gambit for drumming up publicity: He filed a slew of initiatives to the Legislature and then fired off a promotional email to what’s left of the state’s political press corps. Two of […]
Anguished Machinists narrowly vote to accept Boeing’s most recent offer on 777X work
Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have voted by a narrow margin to accept the terms of The Boeing Company’s most recent contract extension officer, IAM leaders announced tonight in Everett. By a vote of 51% to 49%, the union agreed to Boeing’s terms, with many members telling reporters and writing […]