‘People feel like they’re going backwards’: KIRO hosts debate on wages and cost of living after WA ferry disruption

Washington State Ferries experienced numerous cancellations and service interruptions after 23 engine room employees called in sick Monday. The absences followed a dispute over raises and cost-of-living adjustments.

The disruption prompted KIRO fill-in hosts Angela Poe Russell and Greg Tomlin to debate wages and household spending on “The John Curley Show” on KIRO Newsradio, with Angela focusing on financial woes and Greg questioning tactics that affect ferry passengers.

“I think some of this reluctance on the part of workers in many different fields is a symptom of people feeling like they’re going backwards,” Angela said. “Everything is more expensive, gas, groceries, everything, and our salaries are not keeping up.”

Angela questions reactions to six-figure salaries

The hosts discussed Washington State Ferries’ public statements regarding compensation. The agency said chief engineers have a base salary of $157,000 and can earn more than $350,000 with overtime; these figures do not describe each position of the engine room.

Angela wonders if listeners ignore financial concerns once they hear a big salary.

“Once you earn a certain amount, I don’t care what real difficulties you face, no one will feel sorry for you,” Angela said.

She described the effect of salaries not matching increased expenses.

“This is what happens when your salary doesn’t keep up with the cost of living and so you find yourself regressing,” Angela said. “And I’m not saying it should be the employer’s fault.”

Greg remembers being denied a raise

Greg discussed the compensation decisions he has made throughout his career.

“There have been years where I worked at a company that was very successful, and I made the same. There were times when I worked at a company that wasn’t so successful, and I got a raise, and vice versa,” he said. “And I had to deal with not having a raise for several years.”

Greg remembers a boss who declined his request and told him he could leave.

“After sleeping and thinking, I went, this employer is absolutely right. I found myself in a job that is not renewable, and if I don’t like it, I can walk and find another job,” he said. “And that was a hard truth to learn.”

Greg linked this experience to his criticism of the ferry disruption.

“I have very little patience for people who very publicly, especially with taxpayer dollars, are demanding higher wages and saying we’re going to hold taxpayers hostage until we get what we want,” he said.

Hosts weigh spending expectations and financial pressure

Greg questions whether spending expectations should be part of the affordability discussion.

“What are our expectations in 2026 compared to history and what we have experienced in terms of comfort, luxury, catering, pleasure, entertainment? he asked.

Angela returned to the gap between earning a higher salary and feeling financially secure.

“I remember the first time I made six figures, I was like, ‘Wow, I’m still…'” she said.

“Wait, that didn’t have the effect I thought it would have on me,” Greg said.

“Yeah, you feel like your life was going to change,” Angela replied.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM.

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