“I never used to understand my father,” Fermin said into the microphone. “He was always angry, cold, you know? It wasn’t until I grew up that I realized why. He was always working and it was killing him.” He looked around the full room at Doc Maynard’s Bar and gripped the microphone. “He worked jobs…
Corporate profits are booming —so why are so many jobs paying poverty wages? And get this, some politicians have actually proposed to CUT minimum wage. Seriously. Sign here to tell politicians we need to raise the wage. Jobs should create opportunity, not poverty. When our jobs don’t pay enough to support basic spending levels, it…
Behind a giant banner simply reading “UNION!” poverty-wage airport workers, faith leaders and community members marched down Pacific Avenue towards Alaska Airlines Global HQ. Reverend John Helmiere of Valley and Mountain United Methodist Church, wearing the white collar of his faith, glanced over at the over-sized letter informing the airline that these workers have formed…
*For Immediate Release, January 24, 2013 Contact: Thea Levkovitz, thea@workingwa.org Today (Thursday, Jan. 24) Alaska Airlines reported profits of $316 million in 2012. This represents a 3rd consecutive year of record profits for the SeaTac-based company. But meanwhile, poverty wages continue for the Sea-Tac baggage handlers, fuelers, passenger service workers, and cabin cleaners who work…
A new report on jobs at our airport has just been released by Working Washington, OneAmerica, Faith Action Network, and Puget Sound Sage. You can download a full copy of the report here: First-class Airport, Povert-class Jobs: How the Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines create prosperity for some and economic hardship for others. Here is…
by Nate Jackson Living check to check is hard enough. Giving up those checks because an employer is mistreating you is even harder. But that’s exactly what Seattle port truck drivers did this month. The Seattle port truck drivers three-week walkout brought them some big wins, but it also showed how deep the problems run…
by Nate Jackson Apparently the 1% don’t like hearing from us. Billionaire Paychex Inc CEO Tom Golisano said, “If I hear a politician use the term ‘paying your fair share’ one more time, I’m going to vomit.” The idea of fairness makes him sick and he’s not alone. Big bank CEOs and other 1% elites…
By Nate Jackson The latest census data confirmed what we already know; the lack of good jobs is driving more people into poverty. One out of every six people now live below the poverty line of $20,000 per year for a family of four. Working families gathered in the shadow of the Westin Hotel on…
WASHINGTON — Another 2.6 million people slipped into poverty in the United States last year, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday, and the number of Americans living below the official poverty line, 46.2 million people, was the highest number in the 52 years the bureau has been publishing figures on it. Read the entire story here:…
