With a Stronger Economy on the Minds of Voters, Workers’ Rights Head to the Ballot
For Immediate Release: August 29, 2024
Contact: Anna Connelly, [email protected]
With a Stronger Economy on the Minds of Voters, Workers’ Rights Head to the Ballot
Ballot initiatives remain a critical pathway for workers to win higher wages, guaranteed paid time off, and the freedom to form unions and collectively bargain.
WASHINGTON — In observance of Labor Day, the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) is proud to convey our deep respect for the people and unions who persist daily in the fight for workers’ rights.
Worker justice groups continue to rely on ballot initiatives to advocate for the ability to thrive in every aspect of their working lives—from fair wages to meaningful benefits and critical workplace protections. Despite ongoing legal challenges and legislative red tape, community and labor organizers remain steadfast in ensuring we can have a future where people are prioritized over profits. BISC is proud to work closely with ballot measure campaigns supporting workers’ rights.
“As we head into Labor Day weekend and the fall election season begins, job security, increasing wages, and improving worker benefits are on the minds of the American people. Over the last several years, worker and economic justice issues have been successful at the ballot and 2024 is shaping up to continue that progress. Even more exciting, the momentum to allow workers to organize and join a union is making its way to the ballot box. Voters this November will have the opportunity to change the material conditions of people’s lives,” said BISC’s Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo.
Below are the worker justice initiatives that BISC is tracking:
Qualified for the November 2024 Ballot
- Alaska
- Minimum Labor Standards Initiative: Better Jobs for Alaska has qualified for the November ballot a measure to allow employees to accrue up to 40 or 56 hours of annual paid sick leave (depending on staff size) and gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by July 1, 2027. Following implementation, the hourly rate will be adjusted for inflation.
- The current minimum wage in AK is $11.73 an hour
- California
- Proposition 32: Raises the minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2025 or 2026, dependent on company size. Thereafter, the measure provides that the minimum wage increases based on changes in the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- The current minimum wage in CA is $16 an hour.
- Proposition 32: Raises the minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2025 or 2026, dependent on company size. Thereafter, the measure provides that the minimum wage increases based on changes in the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- Massachusetts
- Question 3: Supported by New England United for Justice, this measure guarantees Uber, Lyft and other transportation network drivers the right to unionize—allowing them to negotiate the terms and conditions of their work.
- Question 5: One Fair Wage Plus Tips MA is advocating for this initiative to require by 2029 that tipped workers be paid equal to the state’s minimum wage, in addition to tips earned.
- The current minimum wage for tipped workers in MA is $6.75 an hour, and $15 an hour for non-tipped employees.
- Missouri
- Proposition A: This measure, initiated by Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages, would gradually raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour by January 1, 2026. Starting in 2027 the state minimum wage will adjust every January based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Proposition A also requires employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
- The current minimum wage in MO is $12.30 an hour.
- Proposition A: This measure, initiated by Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages, would gradually raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour by January 1, 2026. Starting in 2027 the state minimum wage will adjust every January based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Proposition A also requires employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
- Nebraska
- Paid Sick Leave Initiative: Nebraskans for Paid Sick Leave has proposed an initiative to require employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
- Oregon
- Initiative Petition 35: This measure, supported by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555, would require that cannabis businesses submit to the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission a signed labor peace agreement between the business and a labor organization with its licensure or renewal application.
Awaiting Validation for the November 2024 Ballot
- Oklahoma
- State Question 832: Raise the Wage Oklahoma is advocating for a measure to gradually increase the minimum wage to reach $9 an hour by 2025, then increase annually by $1.50 until it reaches $15 an hour by 2029.
- The current minimum wage in OK is $7.25 an hour.
- State Question 832: Raise the Wage Oklahoma is advocating for a measure to gradually increase the minimum wage to reach $9 an hour by 2025, then increase annually by $1.50 until it reaches $15 an hour by 2029.
If you would like to learn more about these labor-focused ballot measures, please reach out to Anna Connelly to set up an interview with BISC Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo.
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