WSLC 2011 Convention is Aug. 4-6 in SeaTac

The 2011 Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, the state’s largest union organization which represents more than 500 union organizations with 400,000 rank-and-file members, will be Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 4-6 at the SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel.

This year, on the day preceding the convention (Wednesday, Aug. 3), in addition to the annual golf tournament to raise funds for families in need, there will be an important conference on Layoff Aversion and Response plus a Happy Hour Social hosted by Washington Young Emerging Labor Leaders (see details on these events below).

Register online for the 2011 WSLC Convention.

The 2011 convention theme is “We Are One,” which has become the rallying cry of a re-energized labor movement confronting attacks on collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin and throughout the country, including here in Washington. The agenda will include distinguished guest speakers focusing on defending against those attacks while continuing to press for public policies that protect, maintain and create family-wage jobs. In addition panels on building long term progressive power, growing the new economy, single payer health reform, and supporting our constituency groups will be held during plenary sessions.

This convention is an opportunity for union officers, staff and rank-and-file delegates to hear from political and labor leaders, attend informative workshops, develop relationships with other unions — and have some fun.

The official WSLC Convention Call, which indicates the number of delegates to which each WSLC-affiliated union is entitled, has been mailed. If you are interested in representing your union as a delegate or alternate to the convention, contact your local union.

The tentative agenda for the convention will be posted soon at the WSLC website.

CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS

The Washington State Labor Council’s Constitution says that proposed resolutions should be submitted 30 days prior to convention (in this case, July 5). However, “late” resolutions are routinely accepted right up until the first day of convention and also will be considered by delegates. Affiliates are urged to submit these resolutions at the earliest possible time to facilitate reproduction and distribution to the convention body.

These resolutions are a key part not just of the WSLC Convention, but of the organization itself.  It is through their debate and passage that WSLC positions and policies are established. Any WSLC-affiliated union may submit resolutions.  See the resolutions approved in 2010 for examples of the diverse issues that are covered. The resolutions are first referred to various committees that will meet Thursday afternoon and consider whether to recommend changes or corrections. Debate and voting on the resolutions, and any committee amendments, could begin Friday afternoon but most resolution debate and action will take place Saturday morning.

As for Wednesday’s activities…

LAYOFF AVERSION & RESPONSE CONFERENCE

The day before the convention convenes, on Wednesday, Aug. 3, the Layoff Aversion & Response Conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the SeaTac DoubleTree Hotel. This conference will showcase tangible programs to help businesses and workers succeed in a challenging economy and will provide participants the contacts to access these tools in the future. Get more info and register online here.

GOLF TOURNAMENT

“The Tournament in ‘11,” the annual golf fund raiser to benefit the Foundation for Working Families, will be Wednesday, Aug. 3 at the Washington National Golf Club in Auburn. Registration starts at noon and the shotgun start is at 2 p.m. Immediately following the tournament will be a banquet. If you are not a golfer, please join us at the banquet ($20 per person). There will be fantastic prizes and all proceeds benefit the Foundation for Working Families and community service agencies in Washington state. For more information contact the FWF at 206-281-8901 x14, or download the tournament flier/registration form.

WA YELL HAPPY HOUR SOCIAL

The Washington Young Emerging Labor Leaders (WA YELL) invite all labor activists to come and mingle and discuss what WA YELL will be doing in 2011 and beyond. It will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in SeaTac, where the WSLC convention convenes the following morning. Who will lead Washington’s labor movement in the struggle for social and economic justice in the 21st Century? Working families need the leaders of tomorrow to come together today to plan for the future. Click here for the event flier and also check out information on sponsorship opportunities for this event.