Jae Townsend works at Jimmy John's in Olympia. She is taking action for $15 in Olympia because she wants to be shop and support local businesses instead of the big corporate chains. She can’t do that right now on the low wages she is paid.
Read More“It’s really hard to make a living on random hours.”
Liam Anderson works at Eddie Bauer in Olympia. He is looking for a second job because the wages are so low. The problem is everyone else is looking too.
Read More"I slept on a mattress pad in the kitchen."
Holly West works at Capital Mall and has been pushing for a $15 minimum wage in Olympia. She’s testified in front of city council, brought more workers into the movement, and even led a people’s mic inside the annual Thurston County Chamber of Commerce dinner - right in the middle of their new CEO’s speech.
Read More"Without $15 it's a real struggle."
Chris talks about why it is important for people to have a living wage. In Olympia, that's a $15 minimum wage.
Read More"$15 an hour is a base wage that people should be paid."
Juliet works in transitional housing in Olympia. She sees what happens to people who don't make a living wage - and she doesn't make $15 either.
Read More"As someone who has been in poverty..."
Danny talks about winning $15 for Olympia would let people get their own place instead of surfing from couch to couch.
Read More"I believe in my community. I believe in social justice."
Jade talks about how a $15 minimum wage for Olympia would free her from the constant struggle she has in paying her bills.
Read More“I’ve been here since 1973 and still haven’t been able to buy a new car.”
Hipolito first worked in the fields when he immigrated to Yakima. He heard about the $15 movement in Yakima and joined it because like him, too many families have to buy their children’s clothes from thrift shops.
Read More"We are putting money in the wrong places."
Lupes Sanchez testified in front of the Yakima City Council. She talked about how families may not go caroling during Christmas because the parents, who are paid too low of wages, are too shamed to let their children see other families exchanging lots of presents.
Read More"We're pulling our hair. We feel desperation."
Paola Zambrano testified in front of the Yakima City Council. She works in the fields and worries every month that the rent is due because she is paid such low wages. Sometimes she has to pull 12 hour days to try and make ends meet.
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