Washington legislation Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Washington State Labor Council wants better standards for child care industry, paid vacation leave for all

By Lauren Gallup January 14, 2025

The Washington Capitol building in Olympia with flowers in front.

For workers in Washington state, there are a number of bills being brought forward this legislative session that labor leaders hope will make working life better in the state. The Washington State Labor Council has introduced its legislative agenda for 2025, which focuses on improving child labor laws, bargaining over artificial intelligence in public sector jobs and Read More

Lawmakers aim to pass bill so striking workers can access unemployment benefits

By Lauren Gallup January 9, 2025

A Boeing worker waves a picket sign. The sign reads, "on strike against Boeing." There is blue sky in the background.

When workers go on strike in Washington state, they don’t earn a dime. A new piece of legislation could change that. This bill would allow workers to eventually access unemployment benefits, starting the second Sunday after they began withholding their labor. Workers could claim up to four weeks of benefits through the state’s unemployment insurance, according to Read More

Spokane-based Indigenous activist shot at protest in New Mexico

By Lauren Paterson October 3, 2023

A Native American man with long dark hair in a red shirt stands in front of a brick wall with hand prints painted on it.

Jacob Johns speaks at an event September 19, 2023 in Spokane, Washington after unveiling his “Free the Vote” mural. (Credit: Jeff Ferguson) Listen (Runtime :57) Read Jacob Johns is an […]Read More