By joining fast food workers to Boycott McPoverty on February 20th, the people of Seattle showed strong support for a $15 minimum wage that builds broad-based prosperity from the middle out.
"I want to get out."
Seattle fast food workers have called for a one day, city-wide boycott of McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s on February 20th. Here’s why.
“I have two kids and a wife and I send money back home as well. What we are making now we can’t take care of ourselves. It’s tough and it gets tougher when they cut your hours. With little hours and making minimum wage I can’t take care of myself, much less take care of my family.” - Jose
“I live in a household with seven other people in a two bedroom, one bath house. I live in a room now with three people. I just think that if the minimum wage was raised I would be able to afford day to day stuff, maybe even move out on my own, and just live my life.” - Martina
“Both my parents have disabilities. I’m the only one bringing in income for the family. I am always taking extra shifts, but these companies that pay this low minimum wage just don’t understand how hard it is to make it. $15 an hour would change our lives.” - Alonna
“I’ve worked in fast food for five years. I’m a single mother. I live in a bad neighborhood and I’m trying to get out. I want to get out. It’s a struggle. It’s hard on this minimum wage. I’m living check to check. I want to get out.” - Crystal
Join us: Pack your lunch, spread the word, and show support for $15 for Seattle by pledging to Boycott McPoverty on February 20th.
New poll shows 60% of Queen Anne, Magnolia, and other City Council District 7 voters back $15 minimum wage; workers here call for boycott 2/20
A new poll conducted by EMC Research finds a remarkable 60% level of support for a $15 minimum wage among likely voters in Seattle City Council District 7 (Queen Anne/Magnolia/South Lake Union/Downtown). Overall support reaches 68% citywide and is incredibly robust across all seven council districts. (Specific highlights available online; EMC Research has also made their full polling memo publicly available.)
These remarkable results come little more than a week before "Boycott McPoverty”, the February 20th one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) in Queen Anne, South Lake Union, Downtown & citywide called by Seattle fast food workers.
"I am a veteran of the United States Marines and I've worked at Burger King for 8 years now, and I’m paid minimum wage,” said Jason Harvey, a fast food worker who lives in a subsidized apartment in the Queen Anne area and has joined the call to Boycott McPoverty February 20th. "I'm not surprised that most of the people in Seattle support raising the wage to $15 because everyone is looking at their paychecks and saying 'ouch'. And all the while they're looking at the prosperity of the rich. People aren't stupid. We know we need this now."
Burger outlets in the area which will be affected by Boycott McPoverty on February 20th include:
* McDonald's - 3rd & Pine
* McDonald's - Denny Triangle * McDonald's - Ferry Terminal * McDonald's - Seattle Center
A citywide map of every burger chain outlet affected by the boycott is available here.
Who: Seattle fast-food workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle
What: Call on the city to "Boycott McPoverty" in a one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) to support $15 for Seattle.
When: Thursday, February 20, 2014, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: All 25 big burger chain outlets inside city limits.
In less than 9 months, the Seattle fast food strikes have given birth to a wildly popular movement to boost the economy by ensuring workers are paid enough to support themselves. On May 30th, the day of the first strikes, the call for $15 was received as a quixotic aspiration destined for failure. But on Election Day, voters in SeaTac and Seattle made moved the issue dramatically forwards, and as Mayor Murray's task force discusses the best way to implement a $15 minimum wage, a broad consensus has coalesced in support of the call initially articulated by fast food workers.
Highlights:
* 68% of likely Seattle voters support a $15 minimum wage vs. just 25% who oppose
* Support is strong in every council district:
* District 1 (West Seattle): 58% - 37%
* District 2 (South Seattle): 74% - 17%
* District 3 (Capitol Hill): 71% - 20%
* District 4 (U District/Wallingford/Ravenna): 76% - 14%
* District 5 (Northgate/North Seattle): 75% - 23%
* District 6 (Ballard/Greenwood): 68% - 25%
* District 7 (Queen Anne/Downtown): 60% - 32%
* Strong enforcement rules (including fines) win 86% support
* Three in four voters agree that "If workers in Seattle earn higher wages, our entire community benefits"
* 71% agree that "A higher minimum wage helps local businesses because more workers making more money means they will have more money to spend"
About the poll:
* The poll was conducted by EMC Research, a leading public opinion & market research firm, thought a January 14 - 22 telephone survey of 805 likely November 2014 voters in Seattle, with a margin of error of 3.5%.
* Polling was funded by a coalition of organizations & individuals supporting $15 for Seattle, including Working Washington, UFCW 21, Nick Hanauer, SEIU 1199NW, the Teamsters, and the MLK County Labor Council.
###
Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org, 206-227-6014
New poll shows 68% of Fremont, Ballard, Greenwood, and other City Council District 6 voters back $15 minimum wage; workers here call for boycott 2/20
A new poll conducted by EMC Research finds a remarkable 68% level of support for a $15 minimum wage among likely voters in Seattle City Council District 6 (Fremont, Ballard, Greenwood). Overall support reaches an identical 68% citywide and is incredibly robust across all seven council districts. (Specific highlights available online; EMC Research has also made their full polling memo publicly available.)
These remarkable results come little more than a week before "Boycott McPoverty”, the February 20th one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) in Fremont, Ballard, Greenwood, and citywide called by Seattle fast food workers.
"I work at the Ballard Wendy's & and I’m struggling to support two children,” explained Teresa Fuentes, a fast food worker who both lives & works in the area, and has joined the call to Boycott McPoverty February 20th. "For one child who's a teen, it is hard to keep up with her expenses between paying for her phone bill and special clothes. For my four year old it is also difficult because every time I go to the store they want candy or a small toy and it's hard to say no. With a $15 minimum wage, I would be able to afford my car insurance which I can't afford right now. I would be able to get decent food, because right now I go to the food bank a lot of the time. The food from there goes bad in a day, and I would like to have the choice to go to the store and buy fresh food. I would be able to buy more clothes for my daughter and toys for my son instead of going to Goodwill."
"I think this boycott is necessary because it's important that everybody notice us and realize that we're hardworking people,” Teresa continued. "We need to stand up for our rights. A lot of people get comfortably without knowing that we struggle to get by. There's money for everything but not for us. The rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. It's important to distribute money in a better way so that everyone has a dignified life.”
Burger outlets in the area which will be affected by Boycott McPoverty on February 20th include:
* Burger King - Ballard
* McDonald's - Ballard
* Wendy's - Ballard
* McDonald's - Crown Hill
A citywide map of every burger chain outlet affected by the boycott is available here.
Who: Seattle fast-food workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle
What: Call on the city to "Boycott McPoverty" in a one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) to support $15 for Seattle.
When: Thursday, February 20, 2014, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: All 25 big burger chain outlets inside city limits.
In less than 9 months, the Seattle fast food strikes have given birth to a wildly popular movement to boost the economy by ensuring workers are paid enough to support themselves. On May 30th, the day of the first strikes, the call for $15 was received as a quixotic aspiration destined for failure. But on Election Day, voters in SeaTac and Seattle made moved the issue dramatically forwards, and as Mayor Murray's task force discusses the best way to implement a $15 minimum wage, a broad consensus has coalesced in support of the call initially articulated by fast food workers.
Highlights:
* 68% of likely Seattle voters support a $15 minimum wage vs. just 25% who oppose
* Support is strong in every council district:
* District 1 (West Seattle): 58% - 37%
* District 2 (South Seattle): 74% - 17%
* District 3 (Capitol Hill): 71% - 20%
* District 4 (U District/Wallingford/Ravenna): 76% - 14%
* District 5 (Northgate/North Seattle): 75% - 23%
* District 6 (Ballard/Greenwood): 68% - 25%
* District 7 (Queen Anne/Downtown): 60% - 32%
* Strong enforcement rules (including fines) win 86% support
* Three in four voters agree that "If workers in Seattle earn higher wages, our entire community benefits"
* 71% agree that "A higher minimum wage helps local businesses because more workers making more money means they will have more money to spend"
About the poll:
* The poll was conducted by EMC Research, a leading public opinion & market research firm, thought a January 14 - 22 telephone survey of 805 likely November 2014 voters in Seattle, with a margin of error of 3.5%.
* Polling was funded by a coalition of organizations & individuals supporting $15 for Seattle, including Working Washington, UFCW 21, Nick Hanauer, SEIU 1199NW, the Teamsters, and the MLK County Labor Council.
###
Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org, 206-227-6014
New poll shows 75% of North Seattle and other City Council District 5 voters back $15 minimum wage; workers here call for boycott 2/20
A new poll conducted by EMC Research finds a remarkable 75% level of support for a $15 minimum wage among likely voters in Seattle City Council District 5 (North Seattle). Overall support reaches an identical 68% citywide and is incredibly robust across all seven council districts. (Specific highlights available online; EMC Research has also made their full polling memo publicly available.)
These remarkable results come little more than a week before "Boycott McPoverty”, the February 20th one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) in North Seattle and citywide called by Seattle fast food workers.
“I am a mother of three, and I immigrated here from El Salvador 10 years ago because my country is very poor and we cannot support ourselves on the money we make there,” explains Joana Aguirre, a McDonald’s worker who lives in North Seattle and joined the call to Boycott McPoverty February 20th. "I came here for a better life, and I want to give my kids a good future. A $15 minimum wage will be the only way to make that dream come true. I'm not surprised that a lot of people in Seattle support raising the minimum wage - we all want this to happen! I would be surprised if people did not want it to happen!"
Burger outlets in the area which will be affected by Boycott McPoverty on February 20th include:
* Burger King - Aurora
* Burger King - Lake City
* McDonald's - Northgate
* Wendy's - Lake City
A citywide map of every burger chain outlet affected by the boycott is available here.
Who: Seattle fast-food workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle
What: Call on the city to "Boycott McPoverty" in a one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) to support $15 for Seattle.
When: Thursday, February 20, 2014, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: All 25 big burger chain outlets inside city limits.
In less than 9 months, the Seattle fast food strikes have given birth to a wildly popular movement to boost the economy by ensuring workers are paid enough to support themselves. On May 30th, the day of the first strikes, the call for $15 was received as a quixotic aspiration destined for failure. But on Election Day, voters in SeaTac and Seattle made moved the issue dramatically forwards, and as Mayor Murray's task force discusses the best way to implement a $15 minimum wage, a broad consensus has coalesced in support of the call initially articulated by fast food workers.
Highlights:
* 68% of likely Seattle voters support a $15 minimum wage vs. just 25% who oppose
* Support is strong in every council district:
* District 1 (West Seattle): 58% - 37%
* District 2 (South Seattle): 74% - 17%
* District 3 (Capitol Hill): 71% - 20%
* District 4 (U District/Wallingford/Ravenna): 76% - 14%
* District 5 (Northgate/North Seattle): 75% - 23%
* District 6 (Ballard/Greenwood): 68% - 25%
* District 7 (Queen Anne/Downtown): 60% - 32%
* Strong enforcement rules (including fines) win 86% support
* Three in four voters agree that "If workers in Seattle earn higher wages, our entire community benefits"
* 71% agree that "A higher minimum wage helps local businesses because more workers making more money means they will have more money to spend"
About the poll:
* The poll was conducted by EMC Research, a leading public opinion & market research firm, thought a January 14 - 22 telephone survey of 805 likely November 2014 voters in Seattle, with a margin of error of 3.5%.
* Polling was funded by a coalition of organizations & individuals supporting $15 for Seattle, including Working Washington, UFCW 21, Nick Hanauer, SEIU 1199NW, the Teamsters, and the MLK County Labor Council.
###
Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org, 206-227-6014
New poll shows 76% of U District, Wallingford, Ravenna and other City Council District 4 voters back $15 minimum wage; workers here call for boycott 2/20
A new poll conducted by EMC Research finds a remarkable 76% level of support for a $15 minimum wage among likely voters in Seattle City Council District 4 (U District, Wallingford, Ravenna). Overall support reaches an overwhelming 68% citywide and is incredibly robust across all seven council districts. (Specific highlights available online; EMC Research has also made their full polling memo publicly available.)
These remarkable results come little more than a week before "Boycott McPoverty”, the February 20th one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) in our area and citywide called by Seattle fast food workers.
"I work at the U Village McDonald’s and I am a single mother of two,” explain Terran Lyons, who joined the call to Boycott McPoverty on February 20th. "I'm glad that 68% of people in the city support the $15 minimum wage and I'm not surprised that they do. It makes me feel good that so few people are stuck in the mindset that fast food and other workers who make minimum wage don't deserve $15.
"I know that some people say the cost of living will increase," she continued, "but it has already been increasing and the wage hasn't kept up. I'm glad that the boycott gives us the opportunity to get even more supporters. It's a step in the right direction."
The U Village McDonald's is the only burger outlet in District 4 which will be affected by Boycott McPoverty on February 20th, though a total of 25 big burger chains across the city are part of the call.
A citywide map of every burger chain outlet affected by the boycott is available here.
Who: Seattle fast-food workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle
What: Call on the city to "Boycott McPoverty" in a one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) to support $15 for Seattle.
When: Thursday, February 20, 2014, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: All 25 big burger chain outlets inside city limits.
In less than 9 months, the Seattle fast food strikes have given birth to a wildly popular movement to boost the economy by ensuring workers are paid enough to support themselves. On May 30th, the day of the first strikes, the call for $15 was received as a quixotic aspiration destined for failure. But on Election Day, voters in SeaTac and Seattle made moved the issue dramatically forwards, and as Mayor Murray's task force discusses the best way to implement a $15 minimum wage, a broad consensus has coalesced in support of the call initially articulated by fast food workers.
Highlights:
* 68% of likely Seattle voters support a $15 minimum wage vs. just 25% who oppose
* Support is strong in every council district:
* District 1 (West Seattle): 58% - 37%
* District 2 (South Seattle): 74% - 17%
* District 3 (Capitol Hill): 71% - 20%
* District 4 (U District/Wallingford/Ravenna): 76% - 14%
* District 5 (Northgate/North Seattle): 75% - 23%
* District 6 (Ballard/Greenwood): 68% - 25%
* District 7 (Queen Anne/Downtown): 60% - 32%
* Strong enforcement rules (including fines) win 86% support
* Three in four voters agree that "If workers in Seattle earn higher wages, our entire community benefits"
* 71% agree that "A higher minimum wage helps local businesses because more workers making more money means they will have more money to spend"
About the poll:
* The poll was conducted by EMC Research, a leading public opinion & market research firm, thought a January 14 - 22 telephone survey of 805 likely November 2014 voters in Seattle, with a margin of error of 3.5%.
* Polling was funded by a coalition of organizations & individuals supporting $15 for Seattle, including Working Washington, UFCW 21, Nick Hanauer, SEIU 1199NW, the Teamsters, and the MLK County Labor Council.
###
Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org, 206-227-6014
New poll shows 71% of Capitol Hill and other City Council District 3 voters back $15 minimum wage; workers here call for boycott 2/20
A new poll conducted by EMC Research finds a remarkable 71% level of support for a $15 minimum wage among likely voters in Seattle City Council District 3 (Capitol Hill, First Hill). Overall support reaches an overwhelming 68% citywide and is incredibly robust across all seven council districts. (Specific highlights available online; EMC Research has also made their full polling memo publicly available.)
These remarkable results come little more than a week before "Boycott McPoverty”, the February 20th one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) in Capitol Hill, First Hill, and citywide called by Seattle fast food workers.
"I'm a 22-year-old minimum-wage worker at the First Hill McDonald’s,” explained Martina Phelps, who has joined the call to Boycott McPoverty on February 20th, "and I'm fighting for a $15 minimum wage because everyone deserves a living wage. I hear that people are excited about $15. If you support us in fighting for $15, will you join us on February 20 for a boycott?"
The First Hill McDonald's is the only burger outlet in District 3 which will be affected by Boycott McPoverty on February 20th, though a total of 25 big burger chains across the city are part of the call.
A citywide map of every burger chain outlet affected by the boycott is available here.
Who: Seattle fast-food workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle
What: Call on the city to "Boycott McPoverty" in a one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) to support $15 for Seattle.
When: Thursday, February 20, 2014, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: All 25 big burger chain outlets inside city limits.
In less than 9 months, the Seattle fast food strikes have given birth to a wildly popular movement to boost the economy by ensuring workers are paid enough to support themselves. On May 30th, the day of the first strikes, the call for $15 was received as a quixotic aspiration destined for failure. But on Election Day, voters in SeaTac and Seattle made moved the issue dramatically forwards, and as Mayor Murray's task force discusses the best way to implement a $15 minimum wage, a broad consensus has coalesced in support of the call initially articulated by fast food workers.
Highlights:
* 68% of likely Seattle voters support a $15 minimum wage vs. just 25% who oppose
* Support is strong in every council district:
* District 1 (West Seattle): 58% - 37%
* District 2 (South Seattle): 74% - 17%
* District 3 (Capitol Hill): 71% - 20%
* District 4 (U District/Wallingford/Ravenna): 76% - 14%
* District 5 (Northgate/North Seattle): 75% - 23%
* District 6 (Ballard/Greenwood): 68% - 25%
* District 7 (Queen Anne/Downtown): 60% - 32%
* Strong enforcement rules (including fines) win 86% support
* Three in four voters agree that "If workers in Seattle earn higher wages, our entire community benefits"
* 71% agree that "A higher minimum wage helps local businesses because more workers making more money means they will have more money to spend"
About the poll:
* The poll was conducted by EMC Research, a leading public opinion & market research firm, thought a January 14 - 22 telephone survey of 805 likely November 2014 voters in Seattle, with a margin of error of 3.5%.
* Polling was funded by a coalition of organizations & individuals supporting $15 for Seattle, including Working Washington, UFCW 21, Nick Hanauer, SEIU 1199NW, the Teamsters, and the MLK County Labor Council.
###
Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org, 206-227-6014
New poll shows 74% of South Seattle and other City Council District 2 voters back $15 minimum wage; workers here call for boycott 2/20
A new poll conducted by EMC Research finds a remarkable 74% level of support for a $15 minimum wage among likely voters in Seattle City Council District 2 (South Seattle). Overall support reaches an overwhelming 68% citywide and is incredibly robust across all seven council districts. (Specific highlights available online; EMC Research has also made their full polling memo publicly available.)
These remarkable results come little more than a week before "Boycott McPoverty”, the February 20th one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) in South Seattle and citywide called by Seattle fast food workers.
"I live in South Seattle and I'm one of thousands of low-wage workers in fast food,” explained Jose Rivas, who works at a Seattle Wendy’s. “After five years in fast food I make only $9.60 an hour. What good is a job if you can't live on it? A wage increase would change my life and the lives of people like me. With a dignified wage, we'd no longer need government assistance and finally be able to provide for our families."
Burger outlets in the area which will be affected by Boycott McPoverty on February 20th include:
* Burger King - Mt. Baker
* McDonald's - Mt. Baker
* Wendy's - Mt Baker
* Burger King - SoDo
* McDonald's - SoDo * McDonald's - Graham * McDonald's - Rainier Beach * McDonald's - Georgetown
A citywide map of every burger chain outlet affected by the boycott is available here.
Who: Seattle fast-food workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle
What: Call on the city to "Boycott McPoverty" in a one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) to support $15 for Seattle.
When: Thursday, February 20, 2014, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: All 25 big burger chain outlets inside city limits.
In less than 9 months, the Seattle fast food strikes have given birth to a wildly popular movement to boost the economy by ensuring workers are paid enough to support themselves. On May 30th, the day of the first strikes, the call for $15 was received as a quixotic aspiration destined for failure. But on Election Day, voters in SeaTac and Seattle made moved the issue dramatically forwards, and as Mayor Murray's task force discusses the best way to implement a $15 minimum wage, a broad consensus has coalesced in support of the call initially articulated by fast food workers.
Highlights:
* 68% of likely Seattle voters support a $15 minimum wage vs. just 25% who oppose
* Support is strong in every council district:
* District 1 (West Seattle): 58% - 37%
* District 2 (South Seattle): 74% - 17%
* District 3 (Capitol Hill): 71% - 20%
* District 4 (U District/Wallingford/Ravenna): 76% - 14%
* District 5 (Northgate/North Seattle): 75% - 23%
* District 6 (Ballard/Greenwood): 68% - 25%
* District 7 (Queen Anne/Downtown): 60% - 32%
* Strong enforcement rules (including fines) win 86% support
* Three in four voters agree that "If workers in Seattle earn higher wages, our entire community benefits"
* 71% agree that "A higher minimum wage helps local businesses because more workers making more money means they will have more money to spend"
About the poll:
* The poll was conducted by EMC Research, a leading public opinion & market research firm, thought a January 14 - 22 telephone survey of 805 likely November 2014 voters in Seattle, with a margin of error of 3.5%.
* Polling was funded by a coalition of organizations & individuals supporting $15 for Seattle, including Working Washington, UFCW 21, Nick Hanauer, SEIU 1199NW, the Teamsters, and the MLK County Labor Council.
###
Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org, 206-227-6014
New poll shows 58% of West Seattle and other City Council District 1 voters back $15 minimum wage; workers here call for boycott 2/20
A new poll conducted by EMC Research finds a remarkable 58% level of support for a $15 minimum wage among likely voters in Seattle City Council District 1 (West Seattle). Overall support reaches an overwhelming 68% citywide and is incredibly robust across all seven council districts. (Specific highlights available online; EMC Research has also made their full polling memo publicly available.)
These remarkable results come little more than a week before "Boycott McPoverty”, the February 20th one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) in West Seattle and citywide called by Seattle fast food workers.
"I'm a father of a 6 month old baby,” said Kyle Lynch, a McDonald’s worker who lives in West Seattle. "I hear all the time from my customers that they support a $15/hr min wage. And to show your support please join us in a boycott of McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King on February 20th!"
Burger outlets in the area which will be affected by Boycott McPoverty on February 20th include:
* McDonald's - Admiral District
* McDonald's - Morgan Junction * McDonald's - Westwood
A citywide map of every burger chain outlet affected by the boycott is available here.
Who: Seattle fast-food workers and other supporters of $15 for Seattle
What: Call on the city to "Boycott McPoverty" in a one-day citywide boycott of the big burger chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's) to support $15 for Seattle.
When: Thursday, February 20, 2014, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Where: All 25 big burger chain outlets inside city limits.
In less than 9 months, the Seattle fast food strikes have given birth to a wildly popular movement to boost the economy by ensuring workers are paid enough to support themselves. On May 30th, the day of the first strikes, the call for $15 was received as a quixotic aspiration destined for failure. But on Election Day, voters in SeaTac and Seattle made moved the issue dramatically forwards, and as Mayor Murray's task force discusses the best way to implement a $15 minimum wage, a broad consensus has coalesced in support of the call initially articulated by fast food workers.
Highlights:
* 68% of likely Seattle voters support a $15 minimum wage vs. just 25% who oppose
* Support is strong in every council district:
* District 1 (West Seattle): 58% - 37%
* District 2 (South Seattle): 74% - 17%
* District 3 (Capitol Hill): 71% - 20%
* District 4 (U District/Wallingford/Ravenna): 76% - 14%
* District 5 (Northgate/North Seattle): 75% - 23%
* District 6 (Ballard/Greenwood): 68% - 25%
* District 7 (Queen Anne/Downtown): 60% - 32%
* Strong enforcement rules (including fines) win 86% support
* Three in four voters agree that "If workers in Seattle earn higher wages, our entire community benefits"
* 71% agree that "A higher minimum wage helps local businesses because more workers making more money means they will have more money to spend"
About the poll:
* The poll was conducted by EMC Research, a leading public opinion & market research firm, thought a January 14 - 22 telephone survey of 805 likely November 2014 voters in Seattle, with a margin of error of 3.5%.
* Polling was funded by a coalition of organizations & individuals supporting $15 for Seattle, including Working Washington, UFCW 21, Nick Hanauer, SEIU 1199NW, the Teamsters, and the MLK County Labor Council.
###
Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org, 206-227-6014
Boycott McPoverty - February 20th
The big burger chains make billions of dollars a year while paying workers less than it takes to survive. McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's have franchised a McPoverty business model that leaves workers unable to support themselves, shifts costs to the public, and lowers consumer demand. When workers aren't paid enough to even afford basics like food and rent, they can't build a better future, or help create prosperity in their community. McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's can afford to pay workers enough to support themselves & contribute to the economy. The big three chains serve billions & billions of burgers at more than 24,000 locations across the country (including 25 in Seattle), and they make billions and billions of dollars doing it. McDonald's alone banked $5.6 billion in profit just last year, with a profit margin of 20%. Even the franchised stores in these chains are typically owned by large and profitable corporations that control hundreds of locations.
Fast food workers are calling on Seattle to Boycott McPoverty on February 20th. The mass citywide boycott will call on the big burger chains will to lead by example and implement a $15 wage that transforms McPoverty into middle-out prosperity. Higher pay is good for workers and good for the whole economy, because more money for more people means more customers for every business out there — you can contribute a whole lot more to the economy at $15 an hour than you can at $9.32.