Labor & Employment
Publications
Real Jobs Created by Small Businesses — Not Government Make-work Jobs — Will Lead Washington out of Recession
Governor Gregoire kicked off 2012 with a strong statement about the importance of the state’s small businesses in creating the jobs that will turn the state’s economy around: “...If we can make it easier and cheaper for them [small business owners] to do business, they can afford to add more employees. This is the key to our economic recovery...”
Teachers' Union Seeks to Drive Teach for America Teachers out of Seattle Public Schools
Third grader Enrique (not his real name) eagerly describes his Teach for America teacher like this: “He let us borrow bigger books.” “I am learning English now.” “My goal is to be at fourth grade in reading by the end of the year.”
Why the Proposed Washington Works Corps Program Won't Work
Introduction
This Legislative Memo provides an overview and analysis of HB 2802. This bill would establish a Washington Works Corps in an effort to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
Washington Works Corps would operate within the state Employment Security Department and is intended to “provide unemployed individuals with the opportunity to perform needed services in communities throughout Washington.”
7 Steps to Help State's Small Businesses
The Columbian (Vancouver) published this column on February 19, 2012.
7 Steps on the Road to Economic Recovery
The U.S. economy is officially in recovery, but people in Washington state are still struggling. Traditionally, small businesses have led the way out of recession as entrepreneurs create jobs and stimulate the economy. Unfortunately small businesses have been especially hard hit by the recession.
Weatherization Stimulus Programs Fail to Deliver Promised Jobs
Claim
“Working with community and industry partners, our city has put together an aggressive and innovative strategy to create green jobs, save energy, and reduce carbon emissions through deep investments in energy efficiency,” said McGinn.
“Seattle to receive $20 million for financing energy efficiency projects,” City of Seattle Press Release, April, 2010.
“Washington state is using our recovery money as it’s intended, and because of that – we’ve been recognized and awarded additional funding,” Gregoire said.
The State Teachers' Union Plans to Punish Tacoma's Kids
Tacoma's News Tribune published this column on August 30, 2011.
Tacoma’s parents and children don’t know whether their schools will open on time Thursday.
The reason: Teacher union executives are considering a strike as part of their long-range plan to intimidate school boards in communities around Washington.
Union Dues Divert Education Funds from Schools
Key Findings
- Education funding is diverted from public schools to ensure the financial stability of public sector unions.
- State law and collective bargaining agreements require school officials to deduct dues from teachers’ paychecks for transfer to union bank accounts.
- Teachers may not opt out of the automatic payment arrangement.
- Teachers typically pay around $900 per year each in mandatory union dues.
Introduction
Analysis of Seattle's Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
Overview
A mandatory paid sick leave ordinance would affect every business in the city of Seattle that does not already have an official paid sick leave employee policy. It would also affect any business that already provides paid sick leave that allows fewer days than the ordinance mandates. The ordinance would also impact any business that already provides paid time off, but does not specify that it can be used for paid sick days.
Small Businesses Will Benefit from 2011 Session, but the Job's Not Done
For the first time in many years, as legislators depart Olympia, small businesses can breathe a sigh of relief. Rather than enduring another legislative session in which some lawmakers enacted more policies that will increase the cost of doing business, the small business community should actually see some much needed relief this time.