The state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has readjusted its proposed average increase in workers’ compensation premiums for 2004 to 19.4 percent, down from the 20.6 percent it announced a few weeks ago.

If adopted, the 19.4 percent increase will be the second year businesses will shoulder a double-digit workers’ comp tax increase. Last year businesses were saddled with a staggering 29 percent increase.

While organized labor has traditionally supported increases in workers’ comp premiums, even ardently supporting last year’s 29 percent increase, the Washington State Labor Council has, surprisingly, denounced the proposed 2004 increase. According to the WSLC President Rick Bender, “Nobody wants to see significant increases in workers’ compensation costs – employers can’t afford them and working people can’t afford them.”

The proposed increase will be finalized on November 19. The new rates will take effect January 1.