Hoping to follow in the footsteps of SeaTac, City of Olympia Councilmember Jim Cooper will introduce legislation that would not only mandate a $15 minimum wage, but impose a slew of new labor regulations on business owners in the city.

Cooper’s proposal would establish a $15 minimum wage and paid sick leave for all workers within the city, as well as require employers to provide a minimum 11 hours of rest between shifts, provide 3 weeks notice of scheduled shifts, and provide current employees with the opportunity to work additional hours before hiring temporary or additional employees.  The minimum wage provision would be phased in over two years for large employers and over four years for small employers.

Councilmember Cooper plans to unveil his ambitious proposal tomorrow prior to a City Council "study session" on the minimum wage.  The Washington Federation of State Employees says the proposal was “developed in conjunction with a remarkably broad coalition of worker and community organizations.”  Of course, their idea of a broad coalition is limited solely to labor unions.   In addition to WFSE/AFSCME Local 443, AFSCME Council 2, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, SEIU 775, UFCW 21, UFCW 367, and Working Washington (organized, funded and run by SEIU) had a hand in Cooper’s proposal.

What impact would these new regulations have on small business owners and their employees in Olympia?  Watch this video to find out.