Record No: CB 119654    Version: 1 Council Bill No: CB 119654
Type: Ordinance (Ord) Status: Passed
Current Controlling Legislative Body City Clerk
On agenda: 9/23/2019
Ordinance No: Ord 125939
Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to hotel employees' health and safety; repealing Chapter 14.25 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Section 3.15.000 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
Sponsors: Teresa Mosqueda
Attachments: 1. Affidavit of Publication
Supporting documents: 1. Summary and Fiscal Note, 2. Signed Ordinance 125939
CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to hotel employees' health and safety; repealing Chapter 14.25 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Section 3.15.000 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, the City has identified a need to provide immediate protection to hotel employees by passing a package of new labor standards ordinances that add new Chapters 14.26, 14.27, 14.28, and 14.29 to the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC); and
WHEREAS, repeal of Chapter 14.25 is necessary to give full effect to Chapters 14.26, 14.27, 14.28, and 14.29; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 14.25 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Initiative 124, is repealed:
((CHAPTER 14.25 HOTEL EMPLOYEES HEALTH AND SAFETY
14.25.010 Findings
The people hereby adopt basic safeguards to protect hotel employees from assault and injury on the job, to improve access to affordable healthcare, and to provide a minimum standard of job security for hotel employees. This measure also includes strong enforcement mechanisms to ensure that hotel owners and operators comply with the law. Providing these protections to hotel employees will make Seattle's economy fairer and more resilient.
Hotel employees are vital contributors to our community. The hospitality industry is a profitable and important component of our economy that receives substantial taxpayer support, including through the $1.5 billion expansion of the Washington State Convention Center.
However, the hospitality industry has not adequately provided for the safety and security of hotel employees. Due to the unique nature of hotel work, hotel employees are subjected to a higher risk of harassment and violence on the job. Unregulated workloads result in injury rates for hotel housekeepers that are higher than those of coalminers. At the same time, hospitality employees have the lowest rate of access to employer-offer...

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