Washington state’s top justice official is throwing more resources into enforcing the state’s worker protections, saying federal efforts have lapsed under the Trump administration. 

Attorney General Nick Brown recently announced the creation of a Worker Rights Unit in his office. In addition to working with other AG divisions focused on worker safety, environment and civil rights, it will work closely with the state’s Department of Labor & Industries and Seattle’s Office of Labor Standards to emphasize cases involving low- and middle-income workers wary of pursuing complaints out of fear of retaliation. 

“Our office’s new Worker Rights Unit will be able to support the working people of our state, as they face increasing challenges to maintain quality jobs and an affordability crisis,” Brown said in a statement. “National studies show that employers steal as much as $50 billion a year from workers. This unit will fight to even the playing field for Washington workers and hold corporations accountable that exploit their workers.” 

Washington has among the nation’s toughest worker protections, including the nation’s second-highest minimum wage, requirements for paid overtime for all workers (including agricultural workers), protections from pregnancy-related discrimination, heat protections for outdoor workers and protections against retaliation. 

The AG’s office says federal agencies focused on protecting workers have been defanged and defunded, curtailing enforcement of the nation’s labor and wage laws. Labor advocates applauded Brown’s efforts to make sure the state’s protections are maintained. 

“As the federal government deliberately weakens workplace protections and defunds labor enforcement, Attorney General Brown has sent a strong message that Washington remains committed to ensuring every worker’s rights are upheld,” said Danielle Alvarado, executive director of Working Washington, in a statement. “This new dedicated unit makes clear we will never abandon our vision of a just economy and the right of workers to fight for what we deserve. We’re proud to partner with the AG to make that vision a reality.”