There’s no question that Seattle is a liberal city. Not content to wait for national legislation, Seattle’s city council voted unanimously in June 2014 to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021. Now, the city council is readying to vote on legislation that would amend the budget to include $1.5 million to grant a stingy 12 weeks of paid parental leave to city workers.
Workers deserve 12 weeks paid parental leave. Join me in calling on Council to pass 12 paid weeks for city workers https://t.co/SuEkb63CrV
— Kshama Sawant (@cmkshama) November 12, 2015
The just re-elected Kshama Sawant, who describes herself as a proud socialist in her Twitter bio, cites research showing that “direct contact with parents during the first three months are crucial to the immediate and long-term health and development of a child” and argues that parental leave is a basic human right, “regardless of … gender identity or family configuration.” Sawant’s hope is that if city workers are guaranteed 12 weeks leave, it will pressure the private sector to follow suit.
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has also called for 12 weeks of family leave; however, he doesn’t enjoy the endorsement of Sawant because democratic socialist Sanders is running as a Democrat. Burn!
Kshama Sawant, a socialist member of the Seattle City Council, says she likes Sanders but can't endorse him because he is running as a Dem.
— Dan Merica (@merica) August 8, 2015
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So what’s so stingy about 12 weeks of paid family leave? As Twitchy reported, the Washington, D.C. City Council is seeking a full 16 weeks of paid family leave for all full- and part-time employees, paid for by an additional tax on employers.
So, Seattle: A $15 minimum wage coupled with 12 weeks of parental leave paid for out of the city budget? Those who aren’t socialists had better keep a close eye on Seattle, Bernie Sanders, President Obama and his magic pen, and this woman as well:
It’s been 6 years since fed minimum wage was increased. RT if you agree: Time to #RaiseTheWage for #WorkingFamilies! pic.twitter.com/lTCWJvsBos
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) October 27, 2015
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