Sunday, November 9, 2025
The Olympia City Council has approved a resolution appointing two citizen committees to write the official arguments — "For" and "Against" — a ballot proposition that proposes a Workers' Bill of Rights.
The proposition will appear on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot.
The resolution, passed on Monday, Aug. 4, meets a state law requirement. Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 29A.32.280 requires a local voters pamphlet for each ballot measure from a local government.
The city council shall formally designate up to three people to write the "For" statements and up to three people to write the "Against" statements for the voters pamphlet.
Proposition 1, placed on the ballot via a citizen petition, would establish new labor standards in Olympia. The proposition aims to create a local Workers' Bill of Rights, with provisions that address:
The proposition has sparked widespread discussion in the community, particularly among advocates of worker rights and local business partners.
The council appointed the following individuals to write the "Statement For" the measure:
All three individuals are known supporters of the initiative.
For the opposing viewpoint, the council appointed:
The individuals are recognized as representatives of the business community and are expected to highlight potential challenges the ordinance may pose for local employers.
The initiative, brought forward by UFCW Local 367 through a petition process, proposes establishing a $20 minimum wage, fair scheduling standards and additional labor protections in Olympia.
After the Thurston County Auditor's Office verified the required signatures, the Olympia City Council had the option to adopt the measure directly or refer it to voters.
A motion to adopt the ordinance failed on a 4-3 vote during the July 22 city council meeting, with some council members citing the complexity of the proposal and the need for broader public input.
The council then voted unanimously to place the initiative on the November 2025 General Election ballot.
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BobJacobs
This proposal is troubling. Lots and lots of good ideas, but no supporting information that I have seen. How many workers would be helped? What would be the effects on employers? On prices? How many staff members would have to be added to the city payroll and at what cost? There will need to be investigators, an adjudication process, an appeals process, etc., etc. These things do not come cheap.
Nonprofit organizations like the YMCA which depend on lots of minimum wage jobs would be hit especially hard.
Bottom line -- this is a very bad way to make laws. No data and analysis, therefore no way to make a rational decision about how to vote.
I have publicly supported ideas like an increased minimum wage in concept. But "the devil is in the details". Only with a full analysis of impacts, good and bad, would I be able to support this initiative.
Bob Jacobs
Tuesday, August 5 Report this
PCBigLife
True, the details and actual language is how we truly tell what’s being proposed. There is a link to the document on the City Of Olympia’s homepage. Here is a link to the proposal.:
https://www.olympiawa.gov/Document_center/Home%20Alert/Initiative%20Petition%20WBR%20Ordinance%20Language%207.23.2025.pdf
Tuesday, August 5 Report this
jimlazar
One way to build an understanding of proposed initiatives is to follow the money.
The article says this was "brought forward" by UFCW 367. While UFCW 367 has a registered political action committee, that group has NOT reported any expenditures (or staff time) devoted to this initiative to the Public Disclosure Commission.
I would appreciate some reporting on where the funds to run the signature drive came from, and how they were reported to the public disclosure commission. So far, it appears to be a well-kept secret. And that's NOT the way it is supposed to be.
Wednesday, August 6 Report this
NicoleOly
Dear Voters - please READ the initiative. The initiative does more than just raise the minimum wage, and only within the City of Olympia. It groups together different types of businesses, such aa medical facilities, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses that would be harmed if the initiative passes. It deems a medium size business between 16 and 499 employees, regardless of profits earned, hours of operation or part-time versus full time employees. It does not include an exemption for tipped employees. It lacks details as to where the funding for implementation and enforcement will come from. The City of Olympia is already facing a budget deficit. Workers deserve a living wage, but this initiative is not the way to achieve that with a positive outcome.
Thursday, August 7 Report this