(The Center Square) – The City of Spokane Valley wrapped up its investigation into Councilmember Al Merkel on Thursday, saying he “berated” and “belittled” staff, making them feel fearful at city hall. The investigation initially ensued in March following a city employee’s complaint that Merkel had engaged in “improper” communications and behavior, leading other employees to raise safety concerns over him, according to the investigation’s findings. Merkel maintained throughout the process that he had done
(The Center Square) – Friday marks the sixth day of Boeing firefighters being locked out by the aerospace company in a contract dispute. Negotiations between Boeing and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local I-66 representing 125 firefighters at some of the company’s commercial plane factories broke down last week Boeing locked out its firefighters and hired replacements on May 4 after workers rejected pay offers that their union described as 20% below the average
(The Center Square) – A proposed bill to amend Seattle’s App-Based Worker Minimum Payment Ordinance has been passed out of a council committee and now faces one more round of voting. Council Bill 120775 would remove minimum wage adjustments, reduce the per-mile rate, and remove the mileage factor from the current minimum wage law, resulting in a minimum payment standard of $19.97 per hour, along with 35 cents per mile for engaged time while driving.
(The Center Square) – Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has unveiled a $7 million capital funding initiative to enhance the city’s response to substance abuse during the ongoing opioid crisis. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant and will be used to upgrade local organizations’ facilities that treat substance abuse, deliver opioid medication and provide post-overdose care. The Downtown Emergency Service Center is set to receive $5.65
