On Aug. 24, Longmont is set to hold a “fishbowl” discussion about minimum wage increases. On paper, this sounds like progress. In reality, there’s serious cause for concern — and anyone in our community should be questioning the value of this exercise as currently designed.

The Longmont Times-Call published an article July 11 about this upcoming fishbowl process. I want to provide additional context for why many of us are deeply skeptical. The fishbowl is new, but our advocacy over the past three-plus years has always focused on ensuring genuine community engagement whenever the city considers minimum wage increases. We’ve pushed to be included in designing how these discussions happen because we know how delicate — and potentially harmful — they can be if workers’ voices aren’t properly centered. It’s a shame to hear that the only partners included so far are business-oriented groups. A fishbowl can be a useful tool, but only if it’s designed to balance power, not reinforce existing imbalances.

Imagine workers sitting in the same circle as their current — or future — bosses. How candid can they really be? The fear of retaliation, or simply social pressure, chills honest conversation. Meanwhile, business owners invited to participate — who exactly are they? If our campaign had been engaged early, as promised, we’d have advocated that only businesses actually paying actual minimum wage be included. We’d also have helped shape a conversation that acknowledges many small businesses want to pay better wages but struggle under a system tilted against both workers and smaller employers.

Some might believe this fishbowl will finally get minimum wage “back on the table.” As someone who’s battled through multiple rounds before Longmont City Council, let me explain my skepticism.

First, there’s a fundamental lack of representation and fairness. A process designed solely by business interests is flawed from the start. No neutral facilitator has been identified with the expertise to guide such a high-stakes discussion.

Second, timing is everything. Last year, by late summer, our campaign was already hearing the excuse that it was “too late” to notify businesses of a wage increase. The same timeline is unfolding now. Holding the fishbowl in late August almost guarantees further delays. By the time staff summarizes results — possibly months later — the window for real action could slam shut yet again.

Third, there’s no champion on this City Council. In Boulder, Council member Folkert stepped up, educated her peers, and helped move the issue forward. In Longmont, no council member has taken that role publicly. Nothing kills the spirit of progressive change when bureaucracy is used to stymie the will of the people.

I don’t yet know how to ensure Longmont’s workers get the fair wages they deserve. But I do know this: Local politics matter. We all have power when we speak up, support each other, and hold our elected officials accountable.

Let’s not settle for a fishbowl where workers’ voices are drowned out. We deserve better. I call on Longmont City Council to make this process better.

Alejandra Beatty is president of Boulder Area Labor Council.