Economy

Business

Why is it so hard to unionize Amazon?

It’s been a year since the first-ever successful union election at an Amazon facility, a milestone many believed would herald a labor movement at the Seattle-based tech giant. But rather than igniting a blaze of unionization, the labor movement at Amazon may be sputtering out.

Politics

Seattle eyes capital gains tax

Seattle officials tell KUOW they’re considering a local tax on capital gains. This follows last month’s state Supreme Court ruling that a state tax on capital gains is constitutional. According to city council member Teresa Mosqueda, it’s just one possibility for new sources of revenue in the coming years to fill a giant “revenue gap.”

Government

Howard Schultz grilled at Senate hearing over Starbucks' 'aggressive union busting'

Howard Schultz’s morning coffee came with a shot of reproach today, as the former Starbucks CEO testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Government

Seattle mandates paid sick time for food delivery drivers

Seattle’s food delivery drivers will be eligible for paid time off when they get sick or need to deal with other safety related issues under a plan approved Tuesday by the City Council.

Calling downtown home

It’s been a bumpy road to recovery for Seattle’s downtown. Three years ago this month, the city shut down. Foot traffic all but disappeared and businesses had to close their doors. But people choosing to live in the city center has actually been on the rise recently. Axios reporter Christine Clarridge brings us up to speed on why people are choosing to live downtown and the impact on the city’s recovery.

Business

Amazon cuts another 9,000 jobs signaling new era for the company

Amazon delivered another dose of uncertainty to employees Monday morning: CEO Andy Jassy announced another 9,000 jobs will be eliminated in the coming weeks, making for a total of 27,000 cuts by the company so far this year.

Business

Bank closure shakes Seattle start-ups

Local tech start-ups and even the Washington wine industry had a few tense days following the Silicon Valley Bank failure. Now they’re looking for answers right alongside the Fed who’s stepped in to investigate. Seattle Times reporter Paul Roberts is here to talk about how SVB failed and what it means for local tech customers.

Business

Is the economy headed for recession or a soft landing?

Are we in a recession? It seems like a straightforward question, but the data tells conflicting stories.

Faux spring hits Seattle’s housing market

Here's a forecast for Seattle area homebuyers: partly cloudy with a chance of less competition. The start of Seattle's 2023 housing market is off to a temperate start with financial worries buzzing. But for a few winter is offering glimmers of bright spots Seattle Times business reporter Heidi Groover is here to help us with the forecast.