Originally posted at The Seattle Times. Does the City Council have the political will to redirect spending for programs that help prevent homelessness from happening? PREVENTION is Seattle’s best-kept secret to answering homelessness. As the city pours resources into shelters, the city’s homeless population continues to grow. And while sheltering is an immediate necessity — […]
Month: October 2015
Home » Archives for October 2015
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October 29, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Licata, News Releases
Study Finds Dismal Enforcement of Paid Sick Leave, Licata Urges Remedies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/29/2015
Study Finds Dismal Enforcement of Paid Sick Leave, Licata Urges Remedies
SEATTLE - A study released today from the Restaurant Opportunity Center has found that, as relates to paid sick and safe leave benefits, only 37.4% of restaurant workers in Seattle are aware of the law and 73.5% report that they don't have access to paid sick leave. Further, in violation of wage theft laws, 20.5% of restaurant workers in the Seattle area report having worked off the clock without pay in the past year and 38.8% report that they are not paid 1.5 times the normal wage when they work overtime in violation of federal laws.
Councilmember Nick Licata reviewed the report findings, and believes that the Council should address:
- Better enforcement, including:
- company-wide investigations without requiring complaints
- a private right of action
- remedies that act as a greater deterrence
- Improved outreach to workers about their rights, including:
- retaliation protection
- provisions to encourage reporting of violations such as non-immigrant status visa certification for employees that report wage theft
In late 2014, the Council requested that the Executive deliver recommendations in April, 2015 for better enforcement of Seattle's historic labor laws. Delivery of the recommendations was postponed until July, 2015 with agreement with the Council. The Council has yet to receive recommendations from the Executive.
Councilmember Nick Licata said, "I appreciate the desire of the Mayor to negotiate with business and employee interests to come to agreement on how to move forward but if we believe that our labor laws are only as good as their enforcement at some point, we have to propose legislation and let the legislative process run its course."
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
Post
October 29, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Licata, News Releases
Study Finds Dismal Enforcement of Paid Sick Leave, Licata Urges Remedies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/29/2015
Study Finds Dismal Enforcement of Paid Sick Leave, Licata Urges Remedies
SEATTLE - A study released today from the Restaurant Opportunity Center has found that, as relates to paid sick and safe leave benefits, only 37.4% of restaurant workers in Seattle are aware of the law and 73.5% report that they don't have access to paid sick leave. Further, in violation of wage theft laws, 20.5% of restaurant workers in the Seattle area report having worked off the clock without pay in the past year and 38.8% report that they are not paid 1.5 times the normal wage when they work overtime in violation of federal laws.
Councilmember Nick Licata reviewed the report findings, and believes that the Council should address:
- Better enforcement, including:
- company-wide investigations without requiring complaints
- a private right of action
- remedies that act as a greater deterrence
- Improved outreach to workers about their rights, including:
- retaliation protection
- provisions to encourage reporting of violations such as non-immigrant status visa certification for employees that report wage theft
In late 2014, the Council requested that the Executive deliver recommendations in April, 2015 for better enforcement of Seattle's historic labor laws. Delivery of the recommendations was postponed until July, 2015 with agreement with the Council. The Council has yet to receive recommendations from the Executive.
Councilmember Nick Licata said, "I appreciate the desire of the Mayor to negotiate with business and employee interests to come to agreement on how to move forward but if we believe that our labor laws are only as good as their enforcement at some point, we have to propose legislation and let the legislative process run its course."
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
Post
October 29, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Commercial Rent Control – Is it Legal?
Small businesses face overwhelming obstacles just surviving in the modern economy. Big businesses capture not only the lion’s share of profit, they also utilize their capital to exert a disproportionate influence on politics – influence which is used to further corporate interests at the expense of workers and small businesses alike. It is the disproportionate economic power wielded by […]
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October 29, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Rasmussen
Budget Priorities
Seattle’s Annual Budget Process is underway! Every year the Seattle City Council is tasked with evaluating the Mayor’s Proposed Budget. I believe this process should be as open and transparent as possible, so I’ve decided to link you to some existing websites that I believe are valuable resources for following this process as an educated […]
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October 27, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant, News Releases
Councilmember Sawant to Host Second Annual People’s Budget Town Hall Tuesday Evening
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/27/2015
Councilmember Sawant to Host Second Annual People's Budget Town Hall Tuesday Evening
SEATTLE - Highlighting the need for an alternative to business-as-usual budgets, Councilmember Kshama Sawant will host the second annual People's Budget Town Hall this evening. The Town Hall will feature brief panel presentations on Affordable Housing; Human Services & Public Safety; Progressive Taxation & Public Infrastructure; and Education, Youth Jobs & Racial Justice.
Speakers will present specific recommendations both for this year's budget, and for a fundamental alternative to a City budget that fails, year after year, to address the most basic needs of Seattleites.
Members of the public will also have the opportunity to provide testimony and share what they require from the City budget.
WHAT:
People's Budget Town Hall
WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Bertha Knight Lands Room, First Floor
600 4th Ave., Seattle 98104
WHEN:
Tuesday, October 27
6:00 p.m.
WHO:
Councilmember Kshama Sawant
Tenants Union of Washington State
Casa Latina
Real Change
Transit Riders Union
Nickelsville
Seattle Housing and Resource Effort (SHARE)
Low Income Housing Institute
Socialist Alternative
15 Now
Upgrade Seattle
LGBTQ Allyship
Standing Against Foreclosure and Eviction (SAFE)
Public
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
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October 27, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant, News Releases
Councilmember Sawant Unveils Commercial Rent Stabilization and Other Proposals to Support Seattle’s Small Businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/27/2015
Councilmember Sawant Unveils Commercial Rent Stabilization and Other Proposals to Support Seattle's Small Businesses
SEATTLE - Accompanied by many small business owners and worker representatives, Councilmember Kshama Sawant today unveiled a series of initiatives intended to support Seattle's small businesses and workers. The proposals, which range from stabilizing commercial rents to improved late night transit service to providing retirement account options for workers, are part of a comprehensive package to help small businesses and their workers thrive.
"There's a lot of small business rhetoric from corporate politicians, but little actual policymaking that helps our city's small businesses. Commercial rent control, for example, is a policy that will directly benefit small businesses," said Councilmember Kshama Sawant. "City Hall needs to stop conferring sweetheart deals on big developers and corporations, and begin serving the interests of small businesses and working people."
The announcement today coincides with the Council's review of the proposed 2016 operating budget. Among other proposals for budget amendments, Councilmember Sawant is urging a study of commercial rent control in preparation for an ordinance next year.
"We all love Seattle's quirky unique culture, but we need to support our small businesses if we're serious about preserving the character and soul of our city," said David Meinert, owner of The Comet and other businesses. "We especially need to move on these policy ideas to support women and minority-owned businesses," he added.
Mike Rodriguez of Restaurant Opportunities Center United added that "Policies such as commercial rent control and a city-sponsored portable retirement system benefit both small businesses and their workers. We cannot lift living standards of restaurant workers by focusing on labor policy alone. When small businesses have a steady predictable profit and easier paths to provide benefits to their workers, both parties win."
For a more detailed explanation of Councilmember Sawant's "Progressive Plan for Seattle Small Businesses and Their Workers," click here.
Press Conference Speakers:
David Meinert, Owner, The Five Point Cafe, Comet Tavern, others
Sonja Ponath, Small Landlord, Former Small Business Owner
K. Wyking Garrett, AfricatownSeattle.com
Mike Rodriguez, Restaurant Opportunities Center United
Paula Lucas, Le Frock
Nate Omdal, Fair Trade Music Seattle
# # #
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast and Webcast live on Seattle Channel 21 and on the City Council's website. Copies of legislation, Council meeting calendar, and archives of news releases can be found on the City Council website. Follow the Council on Twitter and on Facebook.
Post
October 27, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
A Progressive Plan for Seattle’s Small Businesses and Their Workers
On October 27, 2015, restaurant and nightlife venue owner Dave Meinert joined K. Wyking Garrett of AfricatownSeattle.com, Paula Lucas of Le Frock, Mike Rodriguez from Restaurant Opportunities Center United, Nate Omdal from Fair Trade Music Seattle, former small business owner Sonia Ponath, and me to introduce a series of initiatives supporting small business, including commercial rent control. We […]
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October 27, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess
Round 1 Budget Proposals
Budget deliberations have kicked into high gear here at City Hall. The first deadline for proposals to secure a baseline support of three councilmembers comes this Wednesday. After a couple more rounds of discussion over the next three weeks, the...
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October 22, 2015January 6, 2023Councilmember Sawant
Solidarity with students rallying for free public transit!
Tonight, October 22, 2015, students, teachers, staff, parents, and community activists will be rallying at Rainier Beach High School to demand free bus passes for ALL public school students that need or would like to use Metro to get to school. Currently, students who live two miles or less away from their schools are ineligible for the free […]