Low-wage workers held rallies across the state on Wednesday asking for increased pay, while a planned rally in Aberdeen had a disappointing turnout, with less than a handful of demonstrators showing up.
The local demonstration was organized by Working Washington, a Seattle-based organization that started protests to raise the minimum wage in 2013. Service Employees International Union 775, a group that represents homecare workers in Washington and Montana, also helped to set up the event. Demonstrations were held around the state Wednesday, with fast-food workers, airline employees and home care workers asking for a $15 minimum wage.
Currently, Washington’s minimum wage is $9.47 an hour.
Olympia, Spokane, Vancouver, Bellingham, Tacoma and Port Orchard were among the cities taking part in the rallies, with most demonstrators ending the day in Seattle with an afternoon demonstration.
Demetrio and Leonor Alburo, a couple from Montesano who both work as caregivers, were the only demonstrators present on Wednesday, aside from Eddy Hayes, a rally organizer. The rally was supposed to take place along Wishkah Street in east Aberdeen, near a number of fast-food restaurants.
The two are in their 70s and have worked as caregivers since they moved to the U.S. from the Philippines in 2003.
Leonor said she showed up to the rally with her husband with the hopes of persuading lawmakers that the $11 an hour she makes isn’t enough to live on.
“You give everything to your client and the pay is so low that you can hardly make it for the next payday,” she said.
Leonor’s husband said the couple is “barely able to survive” on the wages.
Hayes, who has worked as a caregiver in the past, said she hopes a wage increase will attract more workers to the profession and keep the ones who are already in the field.
“I am very passionate about improving the lives of our caregivers. We need to make sure caregivers will stay in this industry,” she said.
After waiting for an hour in hopes of other demonstrators showing up, the three got into a coach bus to make their way to Shelton, where another protest was planned.
Hayes said the rally was a way for fast food workers to voice their discontent with wages, as well.
“This is not just for caregivers; this is for working people, too,” Hayes said on Wednesday.
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