The Department of Labor & Industries announced that Washington’s minimum wage officially increased to $9.32 per hour, beginning on January 1, 2014. This is a 13-cent per hour increase and reflects the 1.455% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In 1998, Washington voters approved Initiative 688. This means that by law, the Department of Labor & Industries must use the CPI-W to calculate the state’s minimum wage every year.
What is the CPI-W? The CPI-W measures what urban wage earners and clerical workers averagely pay for basic living costs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and doctor. When these costs go up—so must the minimum wage. In fact, Washington is one of only 10 states that automatically adjust their minimum wage based on inflation and the CPI.
To date, Washington State has the highest minimum wage of any state in the country. All workers over the age of 15 in both agricultural and non-agricultural jobs must be paid at least the minimum wage.
If you are one of the lucky hospitality workers in SeaTac outside of the Sea-Tac Airport, then your wages will increase even more in 2014. Starting January 1, 2014, all hospitality businesses with more than 100 rooms and 30 or more employees are required to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour. Unfortunately, SeaTac airport employees, however, will not be getting the same raise. A judge recently ruled that those employees were not eligible for raises because the Port of Seattle operates the airport.
Contact Seattle Employee Rights Attorneys
If you believe that your rights have been compromised while on the job, an experienced Seattle employee rights attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our employee rights attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7. We offer free case evaluations and a no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.
The employee rights lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented employees in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue ,Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline and throughout the State of Washington.
