Question 1

What is the Workers' Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

The Workers' Bill of Rights is legislation aimed at holding large corporate businesses accountable as productive members of the community. It will set guidelines to ensure that workers have a good work/life balance and can afford to live in the city they work in.

Question 2

What’s in the WBR?

Accepted Answer

Wages that are closer to a living wage (All employers)
 • Large businesses (500+ employees): $20/hr. immediately, and to increase each year with inflation.
 • Medium business (15-499 employees): $17/hr. immediately. Reduce the gap between large and medium by $1 per year until even with large (3 year phase-in).
 • Small businesses (under 15 employees): $17/hr. immediately. Reduce the gap between small and large by $.50 per year until even with large (6 year phase-in).

Predictable scheduling so you can plan your life (Large and medium employers)
 • Schedules are posted at least 14 days in advance of the work shift.
 • Premium pay for employer requested shift changes within the 14 day period.
 • The right to refuse "clopening” shifts (shifts less than ten hours apart).
 • Premium pay for “clopening” if the worker consents to work the shift.
 • Not applicable to small businesses (under 15 employees)

Opportunity for full time hours (All employers)
 • When there is a need for more labor, the employer must offer additional hours to existing employees to allow them up to full time before hiring additional workers.

Employers must ensure a safe work environment (Large retail)
 • Employers must develop and follow a workplace safety plan including minimum staffing levels.
 • Employers must provide panic buttons that can be used in case of emergency to contact emergency responders.
 • Not applicable to small or medium businesses (under 500 employees)

Question 3

Will raising the minimum wage lead to job losses?

Accepted Answer

Several studies describe how minimum wage increases have little to no impact on employment or even lead to slight job growth. 
When low-income workers earn more, they tend to spend that extra income, boosting demand for goods and services. This can lead businesses to expand and hire more workers, increasing jobs.

Question 4

Will raising the minimum wage make prices increase?

Accepted Answer

This is a common question. Prices can rise due to many factors, like increased demand, supply chain disruptions, higher material costs, and inflation. A big driver of price increases is corporations trying to maximize profits and boost their stock value. With the costs of food, rent, and gas already on the rise, raising the minimum wage is simply a way to help workers keep pace.

Raising the minimum wage has positive impacts on workers and communities. It increases workers' purchasing power, reduces poverty, and stimulates economic growth. When people earn more, they generally spend more, which can help local businesses and the community. Plus, it can enhance workers' quality of life.

Question 5

Isn't the minimum wage only for young people still living with their parents?

Accepted Answer

No, the minimum wage is not just for young people still living with their parents. The minimum wage is a crucial baseline that impacts a diverse demographic. Employees of all ages, backgrounds, and personal circumstances often rely on minimum wage jobs to support themselves and their families. It ensures a minimum standard of living for everyone, regardless of their living situation or age.

Question 6

What are other benefits to community, working families, and local economy related to passing the workers bill of rights in Tacoma and Olympia?

Accepted Answer

Passing the Workers' Bill of Rights in Tacoma and Olympia could bring several benefits to the community, working families, and the local economy:

1. Strengthened Worker Protections: The bill ensures fair wages, predictable schedules, and safer workplaces, which can improve job satisfaction and reduce stress for workers.
2. Economic Stability: By introducing a $20 minimum wage indexed to inflation, workers will have more purchasing power, boosting local businesses and fostering economic growth.
3. Enhanced Family Well-being: Predictable schedules allow workers to better plan their time, supporting family responsibilities and improving work-life balance.
4. Community Resilience: Safer workplaces and adequate staffing levels contribute to a healthier and more productive workforce, which benefits the broader community.
5. Reduced Inequality: Prioritizing additional hours for current employees before hiring new staff helps part-time workers achieve a livable income, addressing economic disparities.

These measures aim to create a fairer and more equitable environment for workers while strengthening the local economy.

Question 7

How can raising the minimum wage help working families and the economy?

Accepted Answer

Raising the minimum wage can significantly benefit working families by increasing their earnings and reducing poverty. Here’s how:

1. Higher Earnings: A higher minimum wage directly boosts the income of low-wage workers, enabling them to better afford necessities like housing, food, and healthcare.
2. Reducing Poverty: Studies show that increasing the minimum wage lifts many families out of poverty, improving their overall financial stability.
3. Economic Growth: When workers earn more, they tend to spend more, stimulating local economies and creating modest job growth.
4. Improved Quality of Life: Families with higher incomes can invest in education, childcare, and other resources that enhance their long-term well-being.

Question 8

How do these scheduling protections and guarantees affect productivity, life balance, and efficiencies?

Accepted Answer

Predictable Scheduling – Stable schedules improve employee morale and productivity. Studies show that stable scheduling increases sales by 7% and labor productivity by 5%. Avoid last-minute scheduling changes and ensure employees have enough time to plan for shifts.

Avoiding "Clopenings" – A "clopening" is when an employee closes the store at night and opens it the next morning. These schedules lead to fatigue and lower productivity. Reducing clopenings improves work-life balance and overall efficiency.

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