Resolution adopted at the May 10, 2023 membership meeting.
Resolution in Support of Raising the Minimum Wage in Burien
WHEREAS the 34th District Democratic platform supports living wage tied to the median market housing rate: and
WHEREAS low wages contribute to housing insecurity, homelessness, and many other social problems that weaken our communities; and
WHEREAS someone working full-time at the minimum wage in Burien has to spend well over half their income to rent a modest 1-bedroom apartment for $1,600 a month; and
WHEREAS in 2013 and 2014 the cities of SeaTac and Seattle established local minimum wages higher than the state minimum wage; and
WHEREAS in 2022 Tukwila voted by over 82% to raise their city’s minimum wage to approximately the level of neighboring SeaTac, with a phase-in for smaller employers and an exemption for the very smallest employers; and
WHEREAS according to data from the Employment Security Department, in 2022 more than 2,000 Burien workers were making less than the minimum wage in effect in the neighboring city of SeaTac, mostly working in retail, accommodations, and food services; and
WHEREAS raising Burien’s minimum wage would boost the income of many of these workers and their families, as well as encouraging other cities to do the same, raising the floor throughout King County; and
WHEREAS a petition urging the Burien City Council to pass legislation in 2023 to raise the minimum wage is circulating in Burien,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the 34th District Democrats endorse the campaign to raise Burien’s minimum wage through a law similar to the one Tukwila passed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the 34th District Democrats will ask members to help circulate the coalition’s petition building support among Burien residents, workers, and local businesses, and demonstrating the strength of public support to the council.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED the 34th District Democrats will work with the coalition to urge the Burien councilmembers to pass legislation this year to raise Burien’s minimum wage.
Introduced by: Katie Wilson, Transit Riders Union. 34th District Sponsor: Chris Porter, PCO.