Your Lifeguards need your help. There is a national lifeguard shortage that has been getting worse for a decade, and it has especially affected the Pacific Northwest as a region surrounded by water. By promoting water safety in public spaces, teaching swim lessons, leading water exercise classes, and performing lifesaving responses to emergencies in and out of the water, lifeguards protect and enrich the lives of everyone in our community.

In Seattle Parks and Recreation, lifeguard wages have been steadily declining relative to inflation and minimum wage.  At present they are slightly higher than minimum wage, and lower than most jobs with less responsibility and fewer barriers to entry. Inadequate compensation has discouraged talented individuals from pursuing lifeguarding as well as caused a “brain drain” as our most experienced staff leave to pursue jobs they can live on in Seattle. This situation poses a significant risk to the safety of swimmers and beachgoers, jeopardizing lives and creating unnecessary dangers i.e. pool and beach closures for the second year in a row.

In addition to pool and beach closures, it is hard to find affordable swim lessons in the Seattle area.  Safe, effective swim lessons demand years of experience in the water as a swimmer, intensive training, and an enormous amount of physical, mental, and emotional labor.  After a pandemic, the need for this work is greater than ever, and yet there are few skilled, qualified instructors in the Seattle area. The quantity of swim lessons Seattle Parks and Recreation has been offering has significantly decreased, due to the lifeguard storage. Learning how to swim is becoming a privilege for those who can pay at private clubs or find the time to secure limited city lesson spots.

We, the undersigned individuals, request that the City of Seattle take immediate action to revise the compensation structure for lifeguards. We propose the following actions be taken:

1. Increase the base pay for lifeguards to reflect the level of responsibility and skills required for the job to at least $30 hourly. $21.05 hourly (the current base rate) is 12% above the city minimum wage for unskilled jobs with no education, certification, or experience requirements. This proposed increase is based on the cost of living and comparative wages in Seattle.
2. Invest in ongoing training and professional development to enhance lifeguards' skills and ensure they stay updated with the latest lifesaving techniques and best practices of swim instruction.
3. Address the scheduling practices carried out by Seattle Parks and Recreation, which requires staff to work split shifts and stretch themselves to cover staffing storages throughout the city.
4. Implement a fair and transparent system for wage progression and performance-based incentives to reward lifeguards for their experience, expertise, and dedication to water safety.

As concerned citizens, we firmly believe that investing in lifeguards through higher pay and improved working conditions will not only motivate and retain experienced professionals but also attract new talent to the field. By recognizing the value of their lifesaving work, we can create a safer environment for our communities, where residents and visitors can enjoy water activities with peace of mind.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We are confident that, by working together, we can find a fair and equitable resolution that keeps our communities safe for decades to come.

Please note: the donations made on this petition do not go to lifeguards, it goes to change.org. if you would like to donate, message Jane Smith.