When was the last time an entire body of elected officials agreed on anything?
Seattle City Council may be setting the gold standard for cooperation--at least when it comes to important issues that affect the city's economy and the quality of life of its residents.
When Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos failed to address the Seattle Human Rights Commission's concerns about likely violations of the rights of security officers protecting its headquarters, Councilmember O'Brien authored a follow-up letter to the tech mogul.
Obrien's letter--which reaffirmed the commission's concerns and asked Amazon to take full responsibility for ensuring respect for human rights and national labor law--garnered the support of all nine members of the Seattle City Council.
Real credit goes to the courageous workers and community members in Seattle, who have become the architects of a new Seattle economy designed to work for everyone. The Council's unanimous support for security officers comes on the heels of another unanimous vote--to raise the city's minimum wage.
Councilmember O'Brien and his colleagues put it best when they told Bezos:
Our economy is strengthened when we build from the middle out. Our environment is healthier when people can live near where they work. Our community is more vibrant when working people can afford to live in the city. These goals are advanced when workers can choose whether or not to join a union, free from fear of retaliation.
Now that's something we can all agree on!