OLYMPIA…Sen. Mike Hewitt, R-16^th District, has sponsored Senate Bill 5747 because of recent news stories reporting that McDonald’s is outsourcing some of its drive-up window service to North Dakota. 

The bill ties the state’s starting wage to the state’s unemployment rate. Washington’s minimum wage increases annually, and the bill slows the starting wage increase until the economy recovers. 

“Our state’s minimum wage is actually a starting base for those just entering the workforce,” Hewitt said. “Minimum wage has always been designed to give employees experience and skills they need to achieve higher-paying jobs. 

"We have fast-food chains, which traditionally pay minimum wage, outsourcing their jobs," Hewitt added. "That’s a problem when our basic starting wage jobs are leaving the state." 

The bill links the state’s minimum wage index to unemployment rates. When Washington’s unemployment rate is below the federal rate, then the index continues as normal. When the state’s unemployment rate is above the federal rate, the index is suspended until the state’s unemployment rate drops below the federal rate. At no time does this bill lower the starting wage. 

“The bill’s concept is that when Washington has jobs available, the starting wage goes up,” Hewitt said. “However, when we have high unemployment and people are not working, we should suspend the minimum wage to help people keep the jobs they have.” 

            According to news reports, McDonald’s kept all of its employees when it started to outsource. Hewitt is concerned other fast-food chains will follow, and they may decide to cut jobs. 

            “Fast food has historically been a starting job for our youth where they receive experience and training,” Hewitt said. “If this trend continues, there will be fewer starting jobs for our teenagers.”

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 For further information contact Bert Mills at (360) 786-7510 or mills.bert@leg.wa.gov