Dear Neighbors,

Earlier today, I declined to cast a vote on Resolution 32041 regarding Starbucks employees’ unionization effort. Here’s why:

I was elected to work with my colleagues on the issues we know are priorities for the people of Seattle, such as homelessness, public safety and police reform, housing affordability, the displacement of BIPOC residents & businesses, and bringing our economy back.

I was not elected to take symbolic votes on issues that fall outside the purview of City business. This an external labor issue and we have no authority over Starbucks or their workers. That’s why we have a labor movement.

And let me be clear, I’m pro-labor. I support the right of workers to unionize, and I oppose union-busting -- or I would not have been supported by the Seattle Fire Fighters, the Ironworkers, Plumbers and Pipefitters, Laborers, Machinists, Electrical Workers, and the Building and Construction Trades Council. We need to stay in our lane and spend our time and energy on things we can and should do, within our power, to directly help workers in Seattle.

For example, we need to make it easier and cheaper to build more workforce housing, create more career pathways for our young people, fix the roads and bridges our workers travel on to get to their jobs, and eliminate threats and violence against our frontline workers who are being victimized by escalating crime at their workplaces.

This resolution a distraction from getting that kind of work done.

I respect that Council has passed resolutions on things it has no control over in the past. But I was elected by people who want to see progress on our major issues, and I promised to focus on doing just that -- so I couldn’t vote yes on this resolution. My vote matters to me (and you!) and I don’t want to start my term with a symbolic vote on my record. I also don’t want a vote on my record that could be misunderstood as anti-worker so I withheld my vote on Resolution 32041.

My action today underscores our responsibility to address the pressing needs of our constituents. That’s why we’ll host a panel of small business representatives in my Economic Development, Technology, and City Light Committee tomorrow, February 9, to discuss impacts of rising crime and recommendations for City action.

Businesses, employees and customers are still reeling from the pandemic and rising crime. We can help by creating a plan to do something that will actually improve their lives.