WA Workplace Watch

Fishing companies say long waits between seasons can be common, but labor experts say offshore foreign workers are “uniquely unprotected” under U.S. policies.

An investigation found two commissioners allegedly used derogatory language, disregarded harassment complaints and failed to advance equity policies.

Advocates say fear of financial hardship undermines bargaining leverage. Opponents say the bill will increase business costs or prolong work stoppages.

But workers it would affect can’t weigh in. Ethics rules prevent them from lobbying on bills — even ones that would define their ability to unionize.

Workers fear that the move — which would be the nation’s largest-ever grocer consolidation — could undermine bargaining or close current locations.

One company negotiated a $1.3M reduction with the state’s safety agency after a worker’s hand was crushed, following multiple other violations.

A fatal trench collapse in 2016 set precedent for holding employers criminally liable, but officials still struggle to head off repeat violations.

Reduced hours and dwindling benefits spur baristas to action as a small Prosser cafe becomes the 27th in the state to vote to unionize.

'There are times where you just don’t breathe, because you can’t.'

Washington could be the second state to impose permanent safety regulations, but employers and workplace advocates disagree on the proposal.

The former employee alleged that supervisors retaliated against him for raising concerns about repair records and other safeguards.

Business owners and advocates have voiced concerns about who would bear responsibility for monitoring safety conditions.

Propietarios de empresas y defensores de los trabajadores han expresado sus preocupaciones por quién será responsable de monitorear las condiciones de seguridad.

Local committees will still set nurse/patient ratios amid new state oversight, but workers argue the current complaint system falls short.

An investigation found no hiring policies were violated but noted there is no consistent process for filling leadership positions.