Friday, November 7, 2025
With a 4-3 vote, the Olympia City Council took an official stance against Proposition 1, a citizen initiative that would amend the Olympia Municipal Code to establish new labor standards, including rules on work scheduling, minimum wages and workplace safety for employees.
The city council’s opposition centered on concerns about the initiative’s complexity, cost and potential unintended consequences for businesses and the community.
The decision came after a lengthy debate that reflected the council’s division on the measure, as well as a public hearing at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7, where more than 40 community members participated.
Proposition 1 will appear on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot.
An initial motion from Council member Clark Gilman to modify the language of the resolution to express support for Proposition 1 failed. Mayor Pro Tem Yen Huynh then moved to approve a resolution opposing the initiative. The motion passed.
Huynh acknowledged her decision was “an extremely unpopular thing to do,” but said it was the right choice for Olympia, arguing the initiative would add costs without solving affordability issues.
“If this passes, I think it's just going to be a matter of time before the minimum wage needs to be higher … and so we don't really get at the root cause (of the problem). For me, this is not really only about the minimum wage, it's about all of the different regulations that come after,” Huynh said.
Council member Kelly Green described Proposition 1 as “complicated, confusing and incomplete.” She warned once the measure is enacted, it would be difficult to amend because future changes could only be made through additional ballot initiatives.
She cited potential consequences, including businesses might close, reduce staff or hours, or relocate to neighboring cities to avoid added costs. Companies based outside Olympia might stop serving the city or charge higher fees for deliveries or services.
While large corporations would likely absorb the impacts, Green said it would be small, local employers, the “bedrock of job creation in our economic ecosystem,” who would suffer most.
“Ultimately, the people who will pay the biggest price from the impacts of this are the same people it is intended to lift up. It is workers who rely on child care, shopping and services near their homes, and workers who want to shop local and eat,” said Green, who also appealed to voters to take time to read through the initiative.
Another council member, Dani Madrone, supported the resolution opposing Proposition 1. She cited concerns about the lack of stakeholder engagement and potential financial impacts on both the city and local organizations.
She noted the council already allocated $150,000 to study and conduct community engagement on labor standards before that effort was paused to comply with state laws.
Under state law, Olympia voters may propose and enact local legislation through the initiative process if petitions receive signatures from at least 15% of registered voters.
After the Workers’ Bill of Rights initiative met the threshold in July, the city council was required to place it on the November ballot.
The city council had previously agreed to pursue a Workers’ Bill of Rights proposal, directing the Olympia Finance Committee to develop a scope of work for Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray to carry out.
“We (were) trying to do the work, and we had to stop once this went to the ballot. That is really unfortunate because I think we could have made a lot of progress working with folks,” Madrone said.
Council member Robert Vanderpool delivered one of the most passionate statements during the council meeting. He invoked the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that “all labor has dignity.” He said every worker, from sanitation crews to baristas, deserves equitable pay, benefits and freedom from the fear of homelessness or poverty.
He urged the city council and residents to support the Workers’ Bill of Rights as an affirmation of dignity and justice for all forms of labor.
“What is the purpose of believing in equality and inclusion when there are high prices limiting the dignity that all labor produces? What is the purpose of equality if no one can afford to sit at the lunch counter?” Vanderpool asked.
Council member Clark Gilman, a longtime advocate for workers’ rights, opposed the resolution, describing it as a “wrong-headed” move that sends the wrong message to low-wage workers.
“Thousands of people in this community agreed to place a measure on the ballot that calls for working class people in Olympia to be treated with respect,” Gilman said.
He added, “This resolution shouts, ‘You’ve asked for too much’ (from) the people in Olympia who earn too little and are paid too inconsistently.”
He called Proposition 1 a “modest, reasonable action to provide some support and some relief to the people who are suffering the most in this economy.”
“It is not going to change an hourly worker’s life tomorrow, nor do I think it is going to close downtown Olympia,” Gilman added.
“For me, this is a simple work a day, obvious choice for Olympia to just make some gesture or respect for working class, low-wage workers. We are not living to work, we are working to live.”
In defending Proposition 1, Council member Jim Cooper framed the Workers’ Bill of Rights initiative as an issue of equity, dignity and economic justice for working people in Olympia.
He criticized the resolution for being “full of words that say so little” and without substantive reasoning.
Cooper said Olympia should act boldly to support working families. He drew on his decades of experience as both an employer and small business owner, saying when he focuses on people first “the outcomes are better for my organization or my small business.”
Reflecting on Proposition 1, Mayor Dontae Payne said it emerged from a “lack of trust in city government” after some residents doubted the city would follow through on studying a local minimum wage proposal.
“The reason we are here tonight is because that process was not trusted,” said Payne, adding the distrust was fueled by “outside interests that have no interest in hearing other voices within the City of Olympia.”
While acknowledging the initiative’s intentions may be good, Payne argued it was “not well written” and fails to consider the “complexities of running a business or a nonprofit organization.”
He said the measure goes beyond a simple wage increase, introducing mandates around predictive scheduling and civil actions that could burden small businesses that are struggling with inflation and high operating costs.
“I see this measure as a business repellent. It will deter businesses from coming to Olympia because the other cities around won’t have these regulations," Payne said.
He said the initiative will not address the city’s affordability challenges.
“Even if it passes, the city does not magically become affordable," Payne said.
The mayor said his opposition was rooted in concern for long-term community stability, not political gain.
“It is not politically advantageous for me to take this position. But if I believe it is harmful and wrong to the community, it is harmful and wrong for the community," Payne said.
In adopting the resolution, the council cited several reasons for opposing Proposition 1.
The measure would establish a tiered minimum wage system based on employer size, impose new scheduling rules and apply penalties for violations.
The council raised concerns that the initiative does not exempt critical sectors, such as hospitals, emergency medical services, assisted living facilities, or public service agencies that provide emergency or essential services.
The resolution notes those requirements would place additional costs on the city to hire and retain staff to administer and enforce the new standards. Payne pointed out that Olympia’s budget is already strained to fund essential services like public safety.
The resolution also states the initiative, given its complexity and broad impact, warrants more thorough review and public engagement before any labor standards are implemented.
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Quadlok
When did it become acceptable in this country to not do things because they are hard? Also, the idea that Healthcare workers, some of the most exploited under the current system, shouldn't be included is beyond reprehensible.
Oh, and **** worrying about businesses period. If you can't treat your employees like people you do not deserve to exist.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Proposition 1 is government intrusion into businesses. It has no place in this city, or any other. Glad to see there are a few people in the council who can make that connection. However, this article is revealing about the radical thinkers that are trying to destroy our city, state, and country. Government has no place involving itself in any business to the degree this proposed law intends to. Instead of trying to destroy our country, those who support this law should move to one of the countries that has already destroyed themselves with these types of policies and see firsthand the reality of Marxist ideology.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
PCBigLife
The problem with Prop 1 isn’t that it raises minimum wages; it’s how poorly the initiative is written and the cumbersome and expensive wake it will leave. The Council was already working on this issue, had budgeted and advertised for a consultant to engage the entire community on the best way to implement the goal of supporting workers. They even included language from the initiative in the description of the scope of work. If we want to support workers and not damage social services and small businesses, the best thing we can do is vote no and have an inclusive process.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
Bobwubbena
Look at the arguments. Those saying that it is "not well written" and it most likely will create more cost and problems in the future, are both liberal and practical thinkers trying to do what is right the first time--not a later "bailout". Add up all of the "new taxes and City mandated costs on small businesses and ask---who elected these individuals. Many are asking this in Washington DC. What about the City Council? It is not partisan issue--it is good leadership that is missing locally via some of our council members.
Those saying we need to be bold and go forward---Gilmore, Cooper and Vanderpool have not been a successful small business owner---so their advice is philosophical. Cooper is trying to say he had employees---not his it was the NGO that had to rase the money to keep his paid by other doors open. He was the last paid employee that would have to leave due to the new City of Olympia taxes. Listen to the commonsense statements of the majority. Not the altruistic statements of the three with no real skin in the game. Be a good manager and lead by good example and good management.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
TheVirtualOne
Suggest anyone who supports Proposition 1 read this article written by Wayne Fournier:
https://www.chronline.com/stories/wayne-fournier-lets-talk-honestly-about-workers-bill-of-rights-and-unintended-consequences,388639
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
terry
Margaret Thatcher comes to mind with her famous quip that “socialism works until you run out of other people’s money.” Thankfully the City Council understands the parallels here.
Wednesday, October 8 Report this
Student Government rep 6
Great. I’ll make sure to let the student papers know that our elected officials elected to continue doing nothing because doing something was too hard.
Should make a great talking point for general assembly.
Thursday, October 9 Report this
Chris_R
Although a slim majority, this is the first prudent decision I recall seeing from this council.
Thursday, October 9 Report this
Wesley
Minimum wage and "worker's rights" agitators only have demands. They never come to the table offering anything in return. Perhaps they would offer a commensurate decrease in sick leave use and increase in productivity? Nope. Just demands.
Thursday, October 9 Report this
Olycitymanager
Kudos to the Council members with the courage to say NO! Proposition One has no safeguards for local nonprofits that support the most needy families in Olympia. The initiative adds costs and unnecessary bureaucracy to organizations that are critical to low income Olympians.
Prop One is the local version of the Big Beautiful Bill. Compelling title with disastrous consequences.
Thursday, October 9 Report this
Snevets
Agreed @Olycitymanager.
Thursday, October 9 Report this
sonshi
The ill-conceived scheduling nightmare this proposition would create completely reveals how little business experience any of these Evergeen grads has. They need to be told by others how bad it would be. Anyone who has even been a manager at McDonalds could tell you how catastrophic parts of this proposition would be.
And Washington already has the highest minimum wage in the nation -- ahead of California. It's over DOUBLE the national minimum wage.
OLYMPIA — Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $17.13 per hour on Jan. 1, 2026 — a 2.8% bump driven by inflation, the Department of Labor and Industries announced Tuesday. The current $16.66 rate is already the highest in the country, just ahead of California and parts of New York at $16.50. The federal minimum wage remains $7.25.
Thursday, October 9 Report this
CobraCommander
The greatest threat to free market capitalism right now isn't exploited workers, it's Trump himself:
https://fortune.com/2025/08/12/maga-marxist-maoist-trump-assault-free-market-capitalism-socialism/
Thursday, October 9 Report this
HappyOlympian
Odd anyone against would be concerned about making an unpopular choice. If a business person supported this, they have the option to do all these things. Forcing folks to adopt all of these policies would be a complete disaster for the city economy. Bummed at the 3 council members who thought this a good idea; clearly appearances more important than sound policy decisions. Prop 1 massive over-reach and mind-numbingly complex. If this quote accurate our mayor among the most arrogant people of all time - " But if I believe it is harmful and wrong to the community, it is harmful and wrong for the community," Payne said." Hope of hopes is for this narcissist to move away from here and never return.
Thursday, October 9 Report this