Building a strong economy starts with supporting policies and strategies that create better jobs and health care for all workers.
It well known that the Puget Sound region has benefited greatly from jobs created by economic engines such as Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, the Port of Seattle and others. It is less well known that many of the jobs spurred by the region’s economic activity are part-time, low-wage, no-benefit occupations that leave tens of thousands of families struggling in economic hardship.
Publications
Survey of Downtown Seattle Hotel Housekeepers
A recent survey of housekeepers reveals that they experience frequent sexual harassment from guests and an alarmingly high rate of severe pain and injury from work.
Role of Labor Unions in Creating Working Conditions that Promote Public Health
Labor union contracts are largely underutilized, but a potentially fertile ground for public health innovation.
Driving Public Good
How collective bargaining can increase reliability and safety in the Seattle for-hire transportation system.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Early childhood education in King County is among the most expensive in the nation, becoming more and more unaffordable for our region’s families.
Who are Seattle’s Tipped Workers?
The average tipped worker in Seattle is roughly 32 years old, has at least some level of college education, and earns less than $15 an hour – even if you include tips.
Economic & Equity Outcomes of Seattle Minimum Wage
Net benefits to workers, local economy and to race and gender equity make a compelling case for Seattle to adopt $15 minimum wage.
Economic Impacts of SeaTac Living Wage
Worker spending will multiply, resulting in up to $54 million of increased income for the region and more than 400 new local jobs.
Paid Sick Days
In a recent survey of grocery and supercenter workers, we found that a large proportion of grocery workers in King County go to work sick, most citing inadequate paid time off as a reason.
Washington’s Changing Workforce
Nonstandard jobs and contingent employment now represent nearly a third of the employment market in the state of Washington.
Below the Radar
How Sea‐Tac Airport’s substandard working conditions hurt our region and how other major airports changed course toward growth and prosperity.
First Class Airport, Poverty Wage Jobs
The day before Alaska Airlines executives report “stellar” profits at annual shareholders meeting, report holds Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines accountable for their role in creating poverty-wage airport jobs.
Our Pain, Their Gain
While Seattle’s downtown hotel sector recovers from the recession and faces widely projected growth and profitability, its workforce endures poverty wages and pain and injury from unsustainable management practices.
Economic Impacts of Walmart Store in Skyway
Report concludes that a new Walmart store opening in Skyway neighborhood will result in a net loss of $13 million of net economic output and $14 million in lost wages.