The Seattle Council Mandates a Living Wage for Streetcar Workers
A new city ordinance sets a minimum hourly wage of 25 cents for streetcar crews, capping a heated debate over labor protections in municipal transit franchises.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The city council last night devoted most of its time and attention to the following resolution, introduced by Councilman Ruda: 'It is resolved by the city council of the city of Seattle: That hereafter in the granting of all street railway franchises, provision be incorporated in each franchise to the effect that the city shall regulate fares on all cars after a period of ten years, taking into consideration the cost for the construction of the road. That hereafter, in granting such street railway franchises there shall be provision incorporated in the same stating that the wages for all conductors and motormen at not less than 25 cents per hour, and the wages of common laborers in connection with such road at not less than 20 cents per hour.' Ruda’s resolution was the direct result of the recent action taken by the street car employees in this city, when they decided to petition for a 25 cent clause in the proposed consolidated railway charter.
“That hereafter, in granting such street railway franchises there shall be provision incorporated in the same stating that the wages for all conductors and motormen at not less than 25 cents per hour.”
This 1899 struggle over municipal franchise requirements echoes modern debates in Seattle regarding gig worker protections, transit wages, and the city's power to dictate labor standards for private operators under contract with the public.
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