Olympia City Councilman Jim Cooper plans to introduce legislation that would mandate a $15 minimum wage and impose new regulations on business owners citywide. Cooper’s plan includes a $15 minimum wage phased in over two years for large employers and over four years for small employers.
His proposal would also mandate paid sick leave for all workers and “require employers to provide a minimum 11 hours of rest between shifts, provide 3 weeks notice of scheduled shifts, and provide current employees with the opportunity to work additional hours before hiring temporary or additional employees.”
Cooper’s drafted his proposal with the participation of the who’s who in big public employee labor, including WFSE/AFSCME Local 443, AFSCME Council 2, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, SEIU 775, UFCW 21, UFCW 367, and Working Washington (organized, funded and run by SEIU).
Cooper has yet to introduce his proposal. However, given the involvement of labor groups, we’re willing to bet it contains an exemption for unions.
