News & Stories

A new study by the University of Pittsburgh adds empirical data to what many of us already consider a no-brainer: when people have paid sick days, fewer people infect their coworkers with the flu. Specifically, the study shows flu transmission decreases up to 40% when employees are able to take two days off. Even one […]

As a new dad who both received and used paid family leave when my daughter was born, I’m a bit of an outlier among my peers. It doesn’t have to be that way. Only 11% of U.S. employees nationwide have paid family leave from their employers. Even at Fortune 100 companies, where 73.6 percent of firms offer some […]

A new report rates the well-being of Washington’s kids as just above average. Here’s why. The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual Kids Count Data Book rates all 50 U.S. states on a multitude of factors, and uses them to calculate four main indicators: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. Washington places 19th overall – the […]

A ballot measure to improve substandard working conditions at Sea-Tac Airport is taking off, thanks to solid research and savvy organizing by local workers and their allies. If passed by voters, the SeaTac Good Jobs Initiative would ensure a living wage of at least $15 an hour, and provide sick pay and job security for […]

This morning New York City became the fifth U.S. city – and the largest – to guarantee workers the right to earn paid sick days on the job. More than 1 million people will be covered by the new law. Employees of businesses with 20 or more workers can earn up to five paid sick […]

With youth unemployment stagnating above 16% and student loan debt soaring to nearly $1 trillion, today’s young adults are facing a rocky start to financial independence. But one thing they can breathe a little easier about is increased access to health coverage. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), starting in 2010 young adults can […]

What happened to the good jobs? This is the question posed by fast-food workers who walked out in New York and Chicago in recent weeks. [Ed. note: Seattle too!] It is the question posed by activists in those corners of the economy – including restaurants and domestic work and guest work – where the light […]

Here’s a reason to renew your Costco membership: not only does the company pay its average worker $45,000 per year, it has also resisted pressure from Wall Street to cut wages and benefits since going public in 1985. That anecdote came out in a BusinessWeek interview with Costco CEO Craig Jelinek, who said that instead of bowing to […]

From the National Partnership for Women and Families: A recent report released by the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor (ODCA) on the district’s 2008 paid sick days law provides a welcome and much-needed assessment of the impact of this historic law, which was the nation’s second. We now have indisputable evidence that the sky-will-fall predictions […]

If you answered “college in Washington state” you are, sadly, correct. Take a look at this example: In 1990-91, Washington state (light gray) covered 80% of the total cost (purple line) to educate a student at the University of Washington. Student tuition – about $3,267 in 2012 dollars – paid for about 20% (dark gray). […]

Sometimes it just makes sense to sit back, look around, and be thankful we live in the state of Washington. The Cascades and the Olympics frame the sky, the air is clear, cool and invigorating, and the days are long and gentle. Last week I drove across the state. The I-90 corridor was brilliant with trees […]

We need to think differently about trade. First, let me say that I am 100% in favor of trade. Trade is when we do what we do best, they do what they do best, and we trade. Trade, done right, will raise living standards. If trade is good, then free trade must be better, right? […]

By Ellen Bravo and Stewart D. Friedman Policies such as family and medical leave programs and earned sick days make it easier for fathers to bear their responsibilities. On this Father’s Day, too many fathers have to choose between the family they love and the job they need. That’s a choice no one should ever have […]