By Tom Barnard, Livey Beha, Guillermo Zazueta and Michael Westgaard
This November, Renton voters will vote on a minimum wage increase for nearly 10,000 low-wage workers, proposing a $19/hour wage starting in July 2024 for large employers. There’s a 2-year phase-in period for small and medium businesses, and the smallest of businesses are exempt, adjusting annually by rate of inflation.
Raise the Wage Renton is a coalition of community organizations, labor unions, businesses, elected officials, Renton residents and workers. We are proposing this initiative to improve the quality of life for Renton workers. Renton employs nearly 60,000 workers within its city limits, 15% of which are earning wages below $19/hour.
Our goal is to ensure that every new job gained from growth in Renton provides a living wage. Without this, job growth without wage growth results in productivity gains for the employer, while low-wage workers continue to have to work multiple jobs just to get by.
Our campaign has spoken with thousands of Renton residents expressing support for this campaign. We hope to address some concerns here related to this initiative’s impact on our unique Renton economy.
The smallest businesses under 15 employees (or less than $2 million in revenue) are completely exempt from the statute, meaning that many family-owned and micro businesses will not be directly affected. Medium-sized businesses with 15 employees or greater shall have a multi-year phase-in period until July...
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