Weekly News Update — October 3, 2024

Dock Workers Strike

Last week, dock workers across the east coast went on strike to protest the increasing automation of their jobs, which they fear may render them obsolete. As a response to the longshoremen’s demand for higher wages, the union has reached a tentative deal that will lead to a 62% increase in wages over the next six years. Read more.

Washington State Minimum Wage for 2025

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries announced a 2.35%, or 38 cent, increase to minimum wage starting January 1, 2025, raising it to $16.66 an hour for workers aged 16 and older and $14.16 an hour for workers aged 14 – 16. The increase in the state minimum wage also affects the pay for some specific types of workers and employment situations, such as overtime-exempt employees and app-based rideshare drivers. Read more.

Gallagher Settles for $21 Million

Consumers across the nation celebrate a win as Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an insurance broker who failed to protect more than 3 million customers from a personal data breach, agrees to settle for $21 million. After four mediation sessions, the class and defendant have come to an agreement, which was deemed “fair, reasonable, and accurate,” by US District Judge Mary Rowland. Read more.