Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray has vetoed an ordinance that would have required big box retailers to pay a $12.50 an hour minimum wage. And yeah, as Charles says, that’s a big win for low-wage leader Walmart, which had threatened to pull out of the city. But remember, this is all part of an ongoing national debate.
While the DC council may not have the votes to override Mayor Gray’s veto, the conversation there helped drive and inform the conversation here. And if we here in this Washington succeed where the other Washington failed, it will give a boost to efforts to raise the minimum wage nationwide.
So it’s up to voters in tiny SeaTac (and inevitably, folks here in Seattle) to strike the first blow on behalf of low-wage workers everywhere in a way the other Washington just didn’t have the balls to do.
The whole nation will be watching, SeaTac! Do the right the thing!