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On June 26, 2024, the City of Burien updated its website to reflect the March 18, 2024, passage of Ordinance No. 837, which established a citywide minimum wage in Burien. The carefully researched and Council-created increase will take effect on January 1, 2025.
That means a new minimum wage is already coming, which is why the "Raise the Wage" initiative signature-gatherers in Burien is so confusing to many informed residents.
According to the PDC.wa.gov funding disclosure site, RAISE THE WAGE BURIEN already gathered $58,631 since March 1, 2024, and 98% of it came from sources outside of Burien, including Washington DC, Massachusetts, Renton, and Seattle. Only five small donations (totaling $1,100.00) came from Burien residents.
Many petition-bearers are wearing "Transit Riders Union" hats, but the progressive Transit Riders Union has no affiliation with Sound Transit, King County or the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU 587) which represents the King County Metro Transit employees.
We spoke with one resident who looked at the petition before signing, but stopped cold because it gave so little information about the initiative. The information card they offered her looked like an advertisement for labor unions. When asked, the paid petitioner conceded that he was not a Burien resident.
The petitioners are stating that Burien is below all surrounding communities at $16.28/hour, which is currently true. However, the signature-gatherers do not mention the City Council's recent action.
Before passing the new ordinance, the Council carefully considered the impact on Burien employees and Burien employers. In 2023, they consulted the Business and Economic Development Partnership (BEDP) to "make a recommendation regarding implementing a Burien minimum wage."
Once the BEDP made their recommendations in October 2023, the Council and staff spent another five (5) months researching and debating. They held roundtable discussions and met with labor unions and business owners to determine the best action.
Burien's citywide new minimum wage, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, will be among the highest in the nation and will increase annually based on a cost of living adjustment.
The ordinance includes a three-tiered plan to accommodate and support all of Burien. Council's intent was to keep the economy thriving by supporting workers while allowing "mom and pop" businesses to remain viable in Burien.
"The City of Burien was one of a very few cities in Washington to pass a higher local minimum wage through Council action. The City then maintains local authority to make changes to the policy based on future needs and Council action.
"The ordinance considers impacts to the local economy and supports our vital local small business community by defining three levels of employers and creating new minimum wage rates and effective dates by size of employer. Employers with 20 or fewer full-time equivalents (FTEs) are exempt from the ordinance."
According to the PDC site:
$58,809.27
$29,688.41
$28,942.86
Less than 2% of the Contributions come from identified Burien Residents:
98% of Contributions (in-kind and cash) come from Outside of Burien. Top Contributors:
Before signing any petition, which includes giving your full name, address, and other personal information, it is good practice to ask questions and get informed answers first.
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