Olympia's Minimum Wage Vote Coming November

💼 Olympia’s Workers’ Bill of Rights Is Headed to the Ballot This November

A proposed $20 minimum wage, fair scheduling protections, and more will be decided by voters — here’s what to know

If you live or work in Olympia, there’s a good chance this fall’s local election could impact your paycheck, your business, or both.

On July 23, the Olympia City Council voted 4–3 to move the proposed Workers’ Bill of Rights to the November 2025 ballot, allowing voters — not council members — to decide whether to adopt the sweeping labor protections.

The proposal includes a $20 minimum wage, fair scheduling standards, and pathways to full-time work — all designed to provide greater stability and support for workers in Olympia. It’s a big decision, and one that’s expected to ignite major debate across the city in the months ahead.

🗳 What’s in the Proposal?
If passed, the initiative would:

• 💵 Raise the minimum wage in Olympia to $20/hour

• 📆 Establish fair scheduling rules, including advance notice of shifts

• 🔁 Require employers to offer more hours to existing part-time workers before hiring new staff

• 📈 Create clearer pathways to full-time employment

Supporters argue it will increase economic security for low-wage workers and better reflect Olympia’s cost of living. Opponents warn it could strain small businesses already navigating inflation, labor shortages, and tight margins.

🗣️ How Did We Get Here?
The proposal was introduced through a citizen-led petition effort that gathered enough signatures to either trigger a council vote or a ballot measure.

Rather than adopt it outright, the council — in a 4–3 split decision — chose to put the issue to voters. The deciding vote came from Mayor Dontae Payne, who acknowledged the complexity of the issue and said it should be “the will of the people” that determines the outcome.

🗓 Key Dates & What’s Next

• 🧑‍⚖️ August 2025: The city will form official pro/con committees to draft voter pamphlet arguments

• 🗳 November 2025: Olympia voters will weigh in on the Workers’ Bill of Rights during the general election

📊 Why This Matters
This measure could make Olympia one of the first cities in Washington with a city-level minimum wage above the state’s baseline, currently set at $16.28 (as of 2025). That would have major implications for:

• 🧑‍🍳 Restaurant and retail workers

• 🏢 Local employers

• 💼 Hiring practices across the city

• 🧾 Cost of living and business operations

Expect robust campaigns on both sides — with yard signs, op-eds, and community forums likely popping up all over town.

🧭 Final Thoughts
No matter where you land politically, this measure is poised to shape the future of work and business in Olympia. Now’s the time to read up, talk to your neighbors, and pay close attention as more details and arguments emerge.

Olympia is about to have a big conversation — and the decision will rest with the people who live here.

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