Worker Justice
This category measures votes on bills that would support or undermine the wages, benefits, or rights of workers. Every worker should be protected by human rights, health and safety laws.
OVERALL RANKING OF DC Councilmembers on Worker Justice
Green = Champion Yellow = Mixed Record Red = Not Aligned with DC4D
SPECIFIC VOTES CONSIDERED
Did they support the Domestic Workers Employment Rights Act of 2022? In 2022, the DC Council adopted legislation, known as the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, to address the fact that labor law excluded domestic workers – those who work in an employer’s home. In addition to other provisions, the legislation eliminates the exclusion of domestic workers from the protections of the DC Human Rights Act as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This legislation was adopted unanimously.
DC for Democracy supports this policy change.
Did they support an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Act that removed a reduction in wages for tipped workers? D.C. voters approved Initiative 82 in 2022, voting to gradually increase the tipped minimum wage from $5.35 in 2022 by $2 annually to match the minimum wage of non-tipped employees in 2027. It was approved by DC voters by a margin of 74% to 26%. Under Initiative 82, in spring 2025, the minimum wage for tipped workers was $10/hour. The initial draft of the 2026 budget included a provision to reduce the tipped minimum wage to $8/hour and create a new “super minimum wage” of $20 for tipped workers. Under this provision, tipped worker base pay would fall with the “guarantee” that wages plus tips equal $20/hour, higher than the regular/non-tipped minimum wage. Opposition to this provision noted that restaurants routinely do not monitor tips accurately to assure that wages plus tips match the full minimum wage (current law), which would have meant that the “super minimum wage” would likely not have materialized into pay gains for any workers, yet their base wage would have fallen.
An amendment from Council Member Lewis George stripped out the provision in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Act of 2025. The scoring shows who voted for the Lewis George amendment and those who opposed it.
DC for Democracy supported the Lewis George amendment.
Did they support an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Act that revised the schedule for increasing the tipped minimum wage and capped the tipped minimum wage at 75% of full minimum wage, contrary to the provisions of Initiative 82. In spring 2025, the minimum wage for tipped workers was $10/hour and on a path to equal the full minimum wage in 2027, as directed by Initiative 82. During 2026 budget debate, Council Members Allen and Henderson proposed an amendment to cap the tipped minimum wage at 75% of the full minimum wage, effectively a $5/hour wage cut for tipped workers compared with fully implementing I-82. This amendment passed and is included in the 2026 approved budget. The scoring below shows who supported this change and who did not.
DC for Democracy opposed the Allen/Henderson amendment.
Did they introduce or co-sponsor the Pay Our Youth a Fair Summer Wage Amendment Act of 2025? The summer youth employment program has been instrumental in providing invaluable opportunities for our youth to gain essential skills and work experience. In recognition of the program's success and its positive impact on the lives of countless young individuals, this legislation is aimed at ensuring fair and equitable compensation for their contributions to the workforce. The legislation raises the hourly wage for youth ages 14 and 15 from $6.25 to $10, and for youth over age 16, it increases the wage to the legal minimum wage, $17.95, which will increase to $18.40 on July 1, 2026. The scoring below reflects those council members who introduced or have cosponsored the legislation and those who have not.
DC for Democracy supports this legislation.
