During the July 29, 2025, City Council Study Session and Meeting, Initiative 2, also known as the “Worker’s Bill of Rights,” was discussed. These basic facts are being provided by the City Manager’s Office to update the public about this important issue. Please note that further research into the impacts of this multi-faceted initiative are required, and the City of Tacoma will update this page appropriately.
Why is the City of Tacoma not immediately moving this initiative to the November ballot?
The proposed Initiative 2 is a complex set of regulations that impacts workers, employers, non-profit organizations, families, and the City government itself, including emergency services. We must take the time to do our due diligence and carefully study the potential impacts of this initiative. Studying these impacts takes time.
Is taking this time legal?
Yes. The Tacoma City Charter – adopted by voters in 1953 – grants the City Council a 30-day period to review any initiative after signatures are validated. This time is specifically intended for careful study and consideration. The Charter’s 30-day review period extends beyond the state’s deadline for the November ballot. Responsible governance requires us to complete our due diligence, and not rush a critical decision to meet a conflicting deadline. We are upholding the deliberative process that has been in place for over 70 years.
What’s wrong with speeding up the timeline?
A rushed timeline presents a challenge for conducting a thorough review ahead of the election deadline. It is our core duty as elected officials to analyze the potential consequences of new laws. This proposal would have wide-ranging economic effects on our community, and it is our responsibility to understand them fully. Rushing to a decision without this analysis would be a disservice to the community.
How will the Council move forward from here?
The City Council takes the issues of wages, worker security, and work-life balance extremely seriously. The Council intends to use this review period to formally begin a comprehensive study of the topics raised by the initiative. Please know that our work here is just beginning. Here are our commitments to you:
- We believe in a community-driven approach. We plan to move this issue to a committee for detailed study and public discussion. This is the same successful model we have used in the past, such as the 2015 process that brought together diverse community voices to find a compromise on the minimum wage.
- This is about good governance, not delay. Our goal is to ensure that any path forward is data-driven, fully understood, and reflects the best interests of the entire community. We want to hear from workers, small business owners, non-profits, and residents to craft policy that helps our entire city thrive.
- We are choosing a responsible path. Rather than rush a complex or poorly understood measure onto the ballot, we are choosing to engage in the hard work of governing. This means taking the time to get it right.
How does a Tacoma resident file a petition to put an initiative, referendum, or City Charter Amendment on the ballot?
Initiatives, referenda, and charter amendments are filed with the City Clerk’s office, who offers guides on each process.
At this point in time, what concerns does City Council have of Initiative 2?
We will continue to study the potential effects of this proposal. At this time, however, our primary concern is around the “Fair Scheduling (18.20.202)” section of the proposed initiative.
Many of the proposed changes to City Code under Initiative 2 focus on large employers, or those employing over 500 people. Such employers include many of Tacoma’s hospitals, emergency service providers such as the Police and Fire Departments, and Tacoma Public Schools.
As proposed, this initiative allows employees to decline changes in work shifts if they receive less than 14 days advance notice. We are concerned there are not provisions provided in the initiative for health care, emergency service, and education providers, who often face reasonable changes to their schedules due to emergencies or weather-related incidents.
Where can I read the text of Initiative 2, sometimes called the Worker’s Bill of Rights, for myself?
You can read the full text of this proposed initiative and a more in-depth frequently asked questions developed by the Tacoma City Manager’s Office.