Economic Opportunity Institute Programs
Every day, public decisions affect private lives. Each of us counts on our democratic institutions to serve and protect economic opportunity for our children, families and communities through sound public policy.
But policy-making can be hijacked by narrow interests, stifled by a lack of resources, or clouded by apathy and cynicism. When debate is dominated by the drive for individual or private gain, civic institutions fail to develop solutions to our common problems, putting opportunity at risk for everyone.
Today, working in concert with grassroots organizations, coalitions and elected officials across the state, EOI’s research, vision and leadership is helping protect wages and jobs, modernize workplace standards, promote a secure future for retirees, ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed in school, and build a more fair and robust tax system in Washington state.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Whether caring for their children, an elderly parent, partner or themselves, all workers occasionally need access to paid time off to look after their own health and that of their loved ones. Yet in Seattle, 190,000 people don't have access to paid sick days.
That’s why in 2010, EOI brought together representatives from public health groups, businesses, unions and community organizations to form the
Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce.
Thanks to a coordinated media strategy, broad coalition, an outpouring of public support, and ordinance sponsor Nick Licata, the Seattle City Council passed the Paid Sick Days ordinance on September 12th, 2011.
When the new law takes effect on September 1st, 2012, an estimated 150,000 workers who previously did not earn paid sick days will start to accrue them; thousands more workers will be able earn additional paid sick days and have additional flexibility for using them.
Over 100 local organizations and small businesses endorsed the paid sick days proposal. The Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce – whose leadership included the Economic Opportunity Institute, MomsRising, Puget Sound Sage, UFCW 21, Legal Voice, Washington CAN, Puget Sound Association for Retired Americans, M.L. King County Labor Council, and the Washington State Labor Council – mobilized thousands of Seattle workers and voters who called, emailed and turned out in support.