Judge rules to allow 'worker bill of rights' to appear on ballot

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A Superior Court judge has denied Spokane Mayor David Condon's request to stop a community group's ballot measure from appearing in the November election.

The Spokesman-Review reports a judge ruled Thursday to allow Envision Spokane to present a "worker bill of rights" to voters Nov. 3. The measure would amend the city charter to require large employers to pay workers a "family wage," ensure equal pay and add protections against termination.

Envision is an organization that has been working with community and labor groups and representatives of some neighborhood councils.

Condon and the city called the initiative legally flawed and said that the measure exceeded the limits of initiative power.

Envision argued that Condon did not have the right to block a measure from the ballot.