Large donations fuel campaigns for and against this Bellingham worker-rights measure
Initiative 4 on Bellingham’s Nov. 2 ballot would guarantee hazard pay of $4 an hour to workers in a declared state of emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and would require posting of work schedules two weeks in advance along with a “good-faith estimate” of expected weekly hours for new employees.
It’s possibly the most controversial of the four initiatives from People First Bellingham and has drawn the most opposition — including tens of thousands of dollars in campaign funds to defeat it from statewide business and trade groups.
Locally, it’s opposed by several organizations, including the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and Sustainable Connections, a nonprofit business organization that emphasizes environmentally friendly practices, including “green” building and affordable housing.
In fundraising reports filed through Oct. 18 with the state Public Disclosure Commission, a committee called No on 4 had raised $183,310 from business-related organizations — including $50,000 from the Washington Hospitality Association political-action committee; $35,000 from the Washington Retail Association and its PAC; $25,000 from the NW Grocery Association of Washington PAC; $20,000 from the Washington Beverage Association; and $12,500 from Doordash.
Other key contributions to No on 4 are $5,000 from the Washington Food Industry Association PAC, and $3,000 from Sanitary Service Co. Inc., which hauls garbage and recycling under contract with the city of Bellingham.
Initiative 4 and three other measures backed by People First Bellingham are endorsed by Whatcom County Jobs With Justice, Imagine No Kages, Whatcom Democratic Socialists of America, Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, Sunrise Bellingham, Bellingham Unity Committee, Riveters Collective, Bellingham Tenants Union, Whatcom Democrats and the Democratic Socialists of America.
People First Bellingham had raised $72,284 through Oct. 18 in support of the four measures it proposed, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. That includes a $50,000 grant from the nonprofit Group Health Foundation in Seattle.
Ballots were mailed Wednesday, Oct. 13, and must be postmarked — not simply mailed — or placed in ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Pro
People First Bellingham said that unpredictable work schedules create stress for workers because they make it difficult to plan ahead for personal needs such as arranging child care, planning doctor and dental appointments, and juggling other jobs.
“A 2021 review of Seattle’s secure scheduling ordinance found that workers’ job satisfaction and economic security increased with at least two weeks’ scheduling notice,” People First Bellingham said in the Voters Pamphlet provided to Whatcom County voters from the state Secretary of State’s Office.
Initiative 4 is “the one we’re talking about most at the doors right now” as volunteers campaign for the measure, volunteer Sage Jones told The Bellingham Herald.
“We still stand by (Initiatives) 1 and 4,” Jones said. “We’re still hearing from workers how much this would affect them in a positive way.”
And she said workers who show up in the midst of a global pandemic deserve to be rewarded.
“Throughout the pandemic, companies have prioritized profit over worker safety. All front-line workers deserve compensation for the risk of working during a state of emergency,” People First Bellingham’s ballot statement said.
“The Bellingham City Council recently passed a hazard pay ordinance for large grocery stores. Let’s extend this limited support to all front-line workers,” it said.
Jones said she wasn’t surprised that the City Council is urging voters to reject the measure.
“The City Council has a longstanding history of finding ways to protect local businesses. I think this is what’s best for workers,” Jones said.
Con
Guy Occhiogrosso, president and CEO of the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, told The Herald that layoffs and business closures were likely if the measures pass, and the chamber’s board voted to oppose Initiatives 1 and 4.
“It appears that the people that (People First Bellingham) is trying to help the most would likely be hurt by these initiatives,” Occhiogrosso said.
Occhiogrosso also faulted the hazard pay provision of Initiative 4, because it favors large employers with deep pockets, and a declared state of emergency doesn’t always affect the entire Whatcom County area equally.
“Everybody would get a pay raise because it flooded in Sumas? That’s nonsensical,” he said.
Nonprofit businesses and the city of Bellingham also would be severely affected if the measure passes, he said in a blog post.
Derek Long, executive director of Sustainable Connections, issued a statement opposing the measure.
“Many nonprofits, including Sustainable Connections, would need to cut programming, limit the number of staff employed, and/or pass on increased costs to the community who benefit from needed services such as child care, hunger relief, and shelter,” Long said in a statement.
Initiative 4 would have increased the YMCA’s annual operating costs by well over $800,000 if it were in effect this year, said Executive Director Bill Ziels in a letter to Whatcom Family Y members.
“As a non-profit organization whose primary focus is to support youth and families in reaching their full potential, this would force us into the unfortunate position of raising rates for all programs in order to cover that increased annual expense. The following are just two examples of possible rate increases: early learning child-care fees would increase by over $3,000 per child each year; school-age after-school care for school-age children would increase an average of almost $600 per year,” Ziels said.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Whatcom County would have to raise rates by $5,000 per child for those enrolled in its early learning program and families who receive subsidies still would be responsible for an extra $96 per week, said CEO Heather Powell in a letter to families.
“This initiative will make us a less competitive employer and make it more challenging to recruit and retain our staff,” Powell said.
Stephanie Oppelaar, co-owner of the Black Drop Coffeehouse and co-author of the ballot statement backing Initiative 4, withdrew her support of the initiative, saying on the coffee shop’s Facebook page that she now thinks it would create inequities between large and small businesses and adversely affect nonprofit businesses and organizations.
“When presented with new information I evaluated it based on what I believe in and what fits my values and am urging you to not only vote no on Initiative 4 but also work with organizers to in the future bring forth a version with language that addresses the inequities workers in this economy are facing,” Oppelaar said Wednesday, Oct. 13.
“The intent behind this initiative was good,” Oppelaar said. “I believe in the activism and passion of the people who brought this forward and are fighting for it now. I heartily believe workers should have schedule stability and hazard pay. But the language as written in this initiative I now realize will only hurt, not help, essential workers.”
Board members of the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce voted to oppose Initiatives 1 and 4.
Bellingham City Council members have urged residents to vote against all four measures.
Mayor Seth Fleetwood — along with former mayors Kelli Linville, Dan Pike, Mark Asmundson, Tim Douglas and Ken Hertz — wrote an essay for The Herald, urging residents to reject it, saying its “unintended impacts would far outweigh the noble intent.”
Other social measures
The initiative is one of four Bellingham voters will face on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.
The measures were brought forward by a coalition of local groups called People First Bellingham are seeking renter protections, limits on police technology, neutrality on labor issues from city contractors, and hazard pay and other rights for hourly wage workers, Jones said.
Council members voted 4-0-1 to place the measures on the ballot at their July 12 meeting. Councilman Michael Lilliquist abstained, and council members Pinky Vargas and Dan Hammill were absent.
But council members and the city’s legal staff said at the meeting that they think the measures won’t survive a court challenge if voters approve them.
Jones disagreed, saying the measures were modeled on successful initiatives in other cities across the country.
At its Oct. 12 meeting, the council voted 6-0 to urge voters to reject them.
If approved, the measures would take effect 10 days after the final election canvass, and City Council members cannot change or amend them for two years after they take effect.
