Wage Lien Legislation Proposes Liens Against Employer’s Personal Property
February 1, 2021
SB 5355 and HB 1369 would allow employees to file a lien for unpaid wages against an employer’s personal or business property along with the property of any officers of the company.
There is currently a system in place in Washington for employees to file wage complaints with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). This system would mostly avoid the need for aggrieved workers to hire attorneys. Instead, it is meant to be accessible and straightforward. If it’s not meeting this goal, then L&I should look inward to improve its system rather than creating an expensive mess that benefits no one but the plaintiff’s attorneys.
BIAW and other business groups strongly oppose SB 5355/ HB 1369.
HB 1369 is scheduled to be heard Tuesday, Feb 2, at 10 a.m. in the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee.
SB 5355 is scheduled to be heard Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 10:30 a.m. in the Senate Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs Committee.