A Seattle group seeking a $15 an hour minimum wage has filed the paperwork for a city initiative, increasing pressure on Mayor Ed Murray and the city council to pass a wage increase without exemptions or delays.
The group, 15 Now, will have to collect more than 30,000 signatures to make the November city ballot, a number seemingly within their reach following election wins last year by candidates who supported a wage hike, including Kshama Sawant, a socialist who clinched a city council seat. Sawant is also a leader in 15 Now.
Organizer Jess Spear says Monday's filing of a city charter amendment initiative is to pressure Murray to approve a "strong" ordinance without delays.
Murray created an advisory group of labor and business interests to chart a plan to increase the minimum wage. The group is not expected to recommend an immediate wage hike.