Bad news: the State Senate is considering 3 bills to roll back the minimum wage in our state, and they’re going to be heard in committee this Thursday — February 2nd.

• SB 5530 would lower the minimum wage to $9.53/hour in 38 of the 39 counties in our state. (There would be a new sub-minimum wage for all workers outside of King County.)
• SB 5532 would lower the minimum wage for people who work for certain types of employers. (There would be a new sub-minimum wage if you work for an employer classified as a nonprofit  — no matter how large they are.)
• SB 5541 would lower the minimum wage for some kinds of workers. (There would be a new sub-minimum wage for younger workers — no matter what their responsibilities.)

Have you ever worked outside of King County, ever worked for a nonprofit employer? Ever worked as a young person?

Know anyone who has?

Then let us know what you think by rating these proposals on a scale of 1 – 5 skulls — and then help us tell the committee to take their hands off our minimum wage.

Here’s the good news: we just voted to raise the minimum wage by almost 60%, so we know the people of Washington State support living wages, not poverty wages. Let’s use that support as a push. Let’s send the Legislature an unmistakeable message that they need to take their hands off our minimum wage.

So let us know what you think — and if you’re in the Olympia area, let us know if you can make it. The hearing is set to begin at 1:30pm in the Cherberg Building on the Capitol Campus.

Let’s beat this back. We can do this.

Onwards!
Working Washington

PS > Did you hear about this by text message too? Sorry for doubling up we just wanted to make sure the word got out!