AN ORDINANCE establishing the terms and conditions for members of the Labor Standards Advisory Commission; amending Section 3.14.934 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
The report of the Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development and Arts Committee agenda item for Constable 118 649 Establishing the terms and conditions for members of the Labor Standards Advisory Commission. Amending Section 3.14 point 934 admissible code and ratifying confirmed research and prior acts. The committee recommends the bill pass. Council Member Herbold. Thank you. So the Labor Standards Advisory Commission was created with the Office of Labor Standards the same time that we enacted the legislation creating that office in 2014. At the time, the ordinance did not include terms of appointment or cause for renewal. We've only just realized that because we are now in the process of creating and implementing this Commission. And the amendments that were made to the enabling legislation include initial terms of odd number positions for one year and the even number positions for two years. Commission members can serve up to two consecutive terms, and the appointing authority may remove members for two or more consecutive absences without cause. The amendment has a ratify and confirm clause in order to appoint commission members immediately to help with legislation that's in the works. We've talked about the fact that a council member wars has brought to my attention the work that she's been doing with some of the neighborhood business districts and the need to augment the work of the Labor Standards Advisory Commission. And we've confirmed that the ability to create subcommittees is not limited or nor does it have to be explicitly allowed by this legislation so that work can move forward as well as creating the commission with with your vote today. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember Herbold, are there any further comments, Councilmember Suarez. Yes, I have a few comments to make and I will not go over 2 minutes. Mr. President, I think you've been unfair because of the whole district thing, but I'll let that go. First of all, I want to thank Councilmember Herbold and the members of her committee, Councilmembers Sawant and Gonzalez, for their work on forming this commission and labor standards. I had an opportunity to go back and watch last week's public meeting, and I actually I learned a lot not only about the business piece, but also, of course, meeting with the workers and the unions as well. I support this legislation and its commitment to address wages, working conditions, safety and health and health of workers. I support the Commission being tasked with recommending ways to achieve workplace equity for women, communities of color, immigrants and refugees and vulnerable workers. With the fast paced growth in our region, we need to ensure workers are protected now and into the future. Our region is proving to be a leader in the nation in creating better conditions for workers, and there's more work to do. My District five includes several diverse business districts, including Northgate Mall, Thorton Place, Aurora, Lake City Business District districts, which include hundreds of small businesses which collectively employ thousands of workers. Ensuring workers in these locations are treated fairly, that policies are applied consistently and transparently is critical to that end. Therefore, I would like to encourage that the Commission hear not only from large business associations, but also from the many small business owners who make up the businesses and businesses in our neighborhoods. I have met with many businesses in my district with Neighborhood Chamber of Commerce, and they would like their voices to be heard as we go through this process. That included retail, restaurants, janitors, grocery stores in the hospitality industry. My concern is that we be heard in a constructive and transparent way. I would like to suggest that the Commission create a subcommittee to ensure neighborhood chambers, neighborhood business districts are included and ensure small businesses concerns are heard. The Lake City Chamber has over 206 members. The Aurora Merchants Association has over 500 members. Northgate Mall and Thornton Place has well over 130 stores employing anywhere between 1502 thousand employees. And for that, again, I want to thank Councilmember Herbert for her willingness to discuss these issues with me and entertain the prospect of a subcommittee to address some of the issues regarding small businesses. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember. Any other comments? If not, please call the role on the passage of the Bill Johnson. Whereas I O'Brien i so on. Bianca Gonzalez i. Herbold i. President Harrell. I. Eight In favor and. Unopposed bill passes and the chair will sign it. Report of the Energy and Environment Committee.