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Labor

Harrell Pledges Seattle Will Be AI Leader, Plan Fuzzy on Details

Last week, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the City’s new AI Plan, which looks to harness the current artificial intelligence boom in the tech sector by integrating AI into the City’s operations, public services, and civic engagement. But critics worry about the ethical implications of AI use in public services, as well as its potential impacts on workers and environmental harms.
Seattle City Hall sign and steps.

Op-Ed: Seattle Should Ban Employers from Discriminating Against Unhoused Job Applicants

In the middle of a homelessness crisis, Seattle is still allowing employers to reject qualified job applicants simply because they don’t have a permanent address. That’s discrimination, and the Seattle City Attorney should lead the way in banning the practice.

The Urbanist Endorses Burien’s Measure 1 as Real Minimum Wage Boost

Burien residents should vote for Measure 1 because it will actually raise pay for low-wage workers. The Burien City Council has sought to muddy the waters, but their alternative is riddled with exemptions and a tip penalty that will largely erase the benefit to workers.
A ten story building with a pinkish purple sunset in the background

King County Grapples with Public Defender Crisis

Public defenders are warning that public defense as we know it is on course to collapse in King County and across the state if officials do not intervene with reforms and more resources.

Op-Ed: Higher Wages Are Needed Part of Seattle’s Housing Affordability Solution

The Fight for $15 has been won. Now housing affordability is Seattle’s biggest challenge. Repealing wage standards would be a setback.
A pergola shelters a street cafe on Ballard Avenue, with a person biking by in the street.

Policy Lab: Why Are Seattle Restaurants So Expensive?

Seattle service workers are set to get a major wage hike, unless restaurant lobbyists get their way. But policymakers can support the restaurant industry in better ways than simply cutting worker pay.
Two servers behind the counter at a cafe, one at the register and another at the espresso machine.

Op-Ed: Seattle Council Won’t Get Away with Gutting Minimum Wage Law

The Seattle City Council is queuing up a debate on appropriate wages for service workers at smaller employers. At the behest of restaurant owners, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth is seeking to cancel a scheduled minimum wage increase.
Folks walk the beach as the Washington State ferry comes in. Cars wait on the dock.

Policy Lab: We Want Bread, and Paid Vacation Too!

Most advanced nations mandate at least 20 working days of paid vacation per year, but not the United States. Here's why we should change that.