Victory For Tacoma Voters: Court Orders City To Advance Workers’ Bill Of Rights
TACOMA, WA (Oct 7, 2026) - Tacoma workers and voters won a major victory as the Washington Court of Appeals ruled that the City Council must take the steps required by the City Charter to place the Workers’ Bill of Rights initiative before voters.
The decision vindicates nearly 10,000 Tacoma residents who signed petitions for the initiative, which would establish stronger standards for wages, scheduling, access to hours, and workplace safety.
The City Council rejected the measure and scheduled an election after the legal deadline. Initiative proponents UFCW 367, Tacoma Democratic Socialists of America, and Washington Community Action Network sued and prevailed in Superior Court. The City appealed that decision.
The appeals court rejected the City’s attempt to nullify the qualified initiative, holding that the City failed to meet its Charter obligations and cannot use a missed election deadline to deny voters their say.
“As a Tacoma resident and voter, I’m thrilled that the court has decided to respect the choice that 10,000 people made to put the Workers’ Bill of Rights to a public vote,” said UFCW 367 member Patrick Lowery. “The court’s decision reinforces our constitutional rights as citizens and shows that when the people are united in our fight, we win.”
The coalition will return to Superior Court to seek a remedy that puts the Workers’ Bill of Rights before Tacoma voters and delivers the democratic process promised by the City Charter.
