The STAND

18/07/2024

'Unions remain a place of unity and hope'
Special report from the 2024 WSLC Constitutional Convention in Wenatchee.

https://www.thestand.org/2024/07/unions-remain-a-place-of-unity-and-hope/

17/07/2024

15/07/2024

Healthcare deserts, long wait times, and onerous travel: two years post-Dobbs, the impacts of extreme abortion bans are felt by workers across the US, including in states where care remains legal.

Read more in a Senate report led by Senator Maria Cantwell

Senator Maria Cantwell and colleagues release report showing Dobbs’ nation-wide impacts on healthcare Longer wait times, fewer and fewer healthcare workers, and onerous travel for care are just some of the impacts reviewed in a new Senate report detailing the impacts of the Dobbs’ decision on he...

11/07/2024

This week in Labor news:
✍️ 124 WA groceries impacted by Kroger merger
✍️ Amazon employees speak on Climate Pledge
✍️ Labor backs Biden/Harris
✍️ AI's trillion $ hype
✍️ Samsung strike continues indefinitely

All that and more: https://www.thestand.org/2024/07/124-grocery-stores-unions-for-biden-harris-ai-ehh/

10/07/2024

Doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants working at Skagit Valley Hospital & Cascade Valley Hospital have filed for union representation with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists.

https://www.thestand.org/2024/07/skagit-valley-cascade-valley-hospitalists-organizing/

09/07/2024

09/07/2024

Local labor leader Ry Armstrong has been elected to serve on the
Actors Equity National Council. Armstrong is an artist, delegate to
MLK Labor, and possibly the youngest trans person ever to serve on the National Council. Congratulations, Ry!

08/07/2024

Tonight, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW healthcare workers at Kadlec will hold a candlelight vigil shining light on the need for a fair contract and investments in patients and staff at Providence.

Join them @ 8pm, in front of Kadlec Medical Center in Richland (Swift Blvd)

https://www.thestand.org/2024/07/candlelight-vigil-at-kadlec/

03/07/2024

IATSE & AMPTP reached a TA on two contracts, one covering mostly Hollywood workers and one covering workers nation-wide, including members in WA.

PNW IATSE Local 488 Studio Mechanics of the Pacific Northwest business agents were among negotiators of their agreement, which will be voted on July 14-17.

The ratification vote starts July 14 PORTLAND, OR (July 3, 2024) — IATSE, the union representing film and television employees in Hollywood and nation-wide, has reached tentative agreements with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on two contracts, one covering primaril...

03/07/2024

Join Ufcw367, Thurston Lewis Mason Central Labor Council - TLM CLC, Pierce County Central Labor Council and local community groups for two Workers' Rights Summits bringing working folks together to brainstorm policies in a Workers' Bill of Rights.

Open to all workers, both in unions and those not (yet) organized.

Details: https://www.thestand.org/2024/07/announcing-workers-rights-summits/

02/07/2024

Wanting a union job is one thing — but finding a union job is another.

Enter the Virtual Union Hiring Hall, a joint project of MLK Labor
and Partners in Employment. Union employers post positions and applicants can browse jobs & learn about the union difference.

Read more at The STAND:
https://www.thestand.org/2024/07/union-jobs-at-your-fingertips/

01/07/2024

Labor Neighbor, the WSLC's grassroots member-to-member political action program, is kicking off July 9! Get details and sign up to put people power into action.

Join the WSLC’s powerful people-to-people political program to activate union members SEATTLE (July 1, 2024) — Labor Neighbor, the grassroots member-to-member political action program of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, engages union members to inform fellow union members and their f...

28/06/2024

This week in Labor news:
✍️ Alaska FAs TA, American FAs prep strike
✍️ Boeing sanctioned, charges recommended
✍️ AI in Hollywood, nursing
✍️ Stonewall Uprising 55 years later

All that and more: https://www.thestand.org/2024/06/flight-attendants-ta-prep-strike-boeing-breaks-rules-again-debate-fact-check/

27/06/2024

Sign onto official public comments voicing your support for President Biden's plan to increase tariffs on unfair imports in strategic industries and to urge the plan's quick implementation.

27/06/2024

Writes Sarah Tucker: "There will always be more that unites us as working people than divides us. Together, we can reject division and embrace our opportunities to protect and empower our trans siblings."

https://www.thestand.org/2024/06/trans-solidarity-forever/

27/06/2024

Nearly $90 million in infrastructure investments secured for Washington State through the RAISE grant program created by Senator Patty Murray. Funds will support critical infrastructure around the state.

https://www.thestand.org/2024/06/raise-grant-brings-millions-to-wa/

26/06/2024

"[Edgar] Franks helps a new generation of farmworker families adapt to a new danger: extreme temperatures, mixed sometimes with wildfire smoke that hangs thick over the fields.

Franks organized farmworkers to press Washington state to put in place new rules to protect farmworkers’ health. When temperatures reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit, farmworkers are entitled by law to ask for shade, water and paid breaks.

Washington is one of only five states in the country to have outdoor worker protection rules in place."

As dangerous heat becomes impossible to ignore, practical innovations are emerging around the world to protect people most vulnerable to its hazards.

26/06/2024

The Washington State Labor Council Women's Committee is hosting it's annual Silent Auction at the WSLC Convention, and is putting out the call for donations! They look for a wide variety of goodies to auction off, all to support their work empowering working women in Washington.

The WSLC Women’s Committee puts out the call for donations to their annual silent auction SEATTLE (June 26, 2024) – The Washington State Labor Council Women’s Committee is announcing the return of its silent auction at the WSLC Convention. A favorite event for many, the auction raises funds fo...

25/06/2024

Join the Healthcare not Warfare coalition of medical, labor, and community groups for a series of town halls sharing patient stories and the path forward for healthcare reform.

Town halls coming up in Everett and Spokane in July.

https://www.thestand.org/2024/06/healthcare-not-warfare/

24/06/2024

The Everett Guild is on strike today in the wake of layoffs cutting 10 of 18 union workers, along with two editors.

“We are walking out to remind them that there is no product to leech off of without journalists."

Their picket starts at 9am. Read more:

Workers strike following the layoff of 10 union workers and two editors EVERETT, WA (June 24, 2024) — Everett NewsGuild members, represented by the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild, will participate in a one-day strike and picket in downtown Everett on Monday in the wake of layoffs announced last...

21/06/2024

This week in Labor news:
✍️ Oregon Nurses Association locked out
✍️ Boeing admits retaliation
✍️ Everett Herald newsroom gutted
✍️ Extreme summer heat

All that and more ⬇️

Friday, June 14, 2024 STRIKES ► From OPB (June 20) – Providence nurses extend strike at Oregon hospitals – The strike is scheduled to end early Friday morning, but Providence has said it had to guarantee five days of work for replacement nurses, so striking nurses will only be invited back as ...

20/06/2024

Janitorial workers organized with SEIU6 Property Services NW will rally in Seattle on Friday, June 21. The workers are taking their fight for a fair contract to the downtown streets.

Join them at 12pm at FS Tower (801 5th Ave, Seattle 98104)

SEIU 6 janitors will rally Friday as they fight for a fair contract SEATTLE, WA (JUNE 20, 2024) — SEIU 6 janitors are entering into negotiations with major janitorial contractors, fighting for living wages. Janitorial workers provide essential services, but are often underpaid and disrespected on ...

20/06/2024

WSLC President April Sims: "It’s been an honor and a privilege to stand alongside our IBEW Local 46 Limited Energy siblings throughout their strike. Their bravery is inspiring, and their solidarity with one another has energized our entire movement."

Electricians voted Wednesday to accept a TA with NECA SEATTLE, WA (June 20, 2024) — IBEW 46 Limited Energy electricians voted to accept a tentative agreement with NECA on Wednesday. The contract offer was approved by 85% of voting members and includes $12.50 in raises and a memorandum of understan...

20/06/2024

Join labor and community for the commemoration of the IWW Centralia Tragedy Monument on Sunday, June 23. This monument honors the IWW union members who were lynched or imprisoned during the 1919 conflict.

IWW Centralia tragedy monument will be dedicated on June 23 The following is from the IWW Centralia Monument Committee: CENTRALIA, WA (June 20, 2024) — The monument commemorating the “Union Victims of the Centralia Tragedy of 1919” will be dedicated in a public ceremony at 12:30 PM on June 23 ...

19/06/2024

Writes WSLC Secretary Treasurer Cherika Carter: "The words 'Let us march on till victory is won' from the Black National Anthem encapsulate the spirit of and the labor movement. They remind us that the fight for freedom and equality is ongoing."

A Juneteenth reflection By CHERIKA CARTER Lift every voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the list’ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. These powerful words open “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song that ha...

18/06/2024

Summer is here and temperatures are rising across the US, putting working people's health at serious risk. Join UFW in demanding a national heat safety standard from OSHA now.

Heat deaths are preventable tragedies.

Take action:

The following is from the United Farm Workers: The summer heat has started. A “heat dome” recently brought triple digit temperatures to parts of the Western United States in early June – with temps topping 110° in some areas. It’s the first major heat wave of what’s expected to be another...

18/06/2024

Losing a job is scary and stressful, but the UI navigation program is here to help. The Washington State Labor Council provides support filing for unemployment plus trainings for workers before they ever face job loss.

More info:

New program provides trainings and hands-on assistance for unemployment insurance OLYMPIA, WA (June 18, 2024) — Losing a job is scary and stressful. In Washington, many workers facing job loss have a safety net available to them in the form of unemployment insurance. But filing an unemployment cla...

14/06/2024

This week in Labor news:
✍️ update on the IBEW Local 46 LE strike
✍️ Boeing's latest
✍️ Airline worker contract fights heat up
✍️ Protecting farmworkers from heat, H1N5 UFW

All that and more ⬇️

Friday, June 14, 2024 STRIKES ► From the Washington State Standard (June 12) – Electricians in Puget Sound region vote down contract offer as strike nears 10 weeks Update: Per the union, IBEW 46 Limited Energy Electricians will vote on a new offer from NECA Thursday June 13 – Saturday, June 15...

13/06/2024

WSLC President April Sims: “2024 is a watershed year for working people. Convention is a powerful demonstration of our movement’s impact and commitment to building power for working people. We’re ready to gather and learn from one another, unite around our shared goals, and recharge our people power battery for the work ahead.”

WENATCHEE (June 13, 2024) — Hundreds of delegates representing unions from across the state will gather in Wenatchee on July 16 – 18 for the 2024 Constitutional Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The state’s largest union organization, representing some 600 unions and m...

13/06/2024

Join Teamsters Local 117 for the Art of Labor on July 13-14, a two-day festival featuring art installations, vendors, food, and a ton of fun for Union families, all for a good cause.

Join our Teamster siblings for a two-day festival in July TUKWILA (June 13, 2024) — Teamsters local 117 invites the broader labor community to a two-day Art of Labor festival on the weekend of July 13-14, 2024 at the Teamsters Union Hall in Tukwila. The festival will include live art installations...