Working Washington issues this official statement in response to anti-minimum wage efforts by Tim Eyman, a DC-based lobby group for franchisors & franchisees, and other out-of-the-mainstream business groups:
Fast food workers took on the crisis of our poverty-wage economy, stood up to threats of retaliation, and risked their jobs. They galvanized a movement that defeated some of the largest & most profitable corporations in the world, and they made history by passing a $15 minimum wage for Seattle.
It's no surprise that these same corporate interests are now desperate to undo Seattle's momentous achievement: when you strike a blow against income inequality, it only makes sense that the top 1% will try to strike back.
But it's not going to work. Seventy-four percent of Seattle voters support a $15 minimum wage because they know that an added $3 billion in the pockets of 100,000 poverty-wage workers is good for those workers, good for their communities, & good for the whole economy.
A year ago, fast food workers sparked the $15 movement and built an overwhelming citywide consensus that every worker should be able to support themselves, afford the basics, and contribute to the economy.
Workers' historic victory has put a stake in the heart of 1% economics, and it's not coming back to life.
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Working Washington unites low-wage workers to fight for a fair economy where everyone can support themselves, afford the basics, and contribute to the economy. We launched the fast food workers’ movement in Seattle with the May 30, 2013 strikes; we helped lead the successful campaign to pass $15 in SeaTac; and we work in coalition with unions, faith groups, and other organizations to hold corporations accountable to community needs.
Contact: Sage Wilson, Working Washington, sage@workingwa.org