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AFL-CIO’s Shuler at WA YELL event tonight

SEATTLE (June 7) — “Sunset Cocktails on the Sound,” the social and fundraising event to benefit the Washington Young Emerging Labor Leaders (WA YELL) featuring special guest AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Liz Shuler, is TONIGHT from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Edgewater Hotel in Seattle.

“Despite what people are saying, the union movement is far from down and out, and there’s few better examples than WA YELL! We know that Washington Young Emerging Labor Leaders are going to play an important part in strengthening and growing our movement; so it’s up to us to support them,” Shuler told The Stand on Wednesday.

“I’m looking forward to attending WA YELL’s ‘Sunset Cocktails on the Sound’ and letting our emerging leaders know that we believe in the skills, hard work and creativity that they bring to our movement,” she said. “Believe me, I’ve already been inspired by our up and coming leaders. Thanks to those of you that have already committed to attending this incredible event, and if you don’t have your ticket — please get it now. See you there!”

Individual tickets are still available online or at the door for $60.

As the youngest elected officer in AFL-CIO history, Shuler is committed to increasing the involvement of young adults in the labor movement. A Portland native, she is a strong supporter of WA YELL’s mission to attract young workers, activists and the unemployed into labor and social justice movements, and to provide leadership development opportunities for them.

In addition to Shuler, tonight’s event will feature Jay Inslee, labor’s endorsed candidate for Governor in Washington state. Union delegates from across Washington voted in February for an early endorsement of former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee’s campaign for Governor. Inslee has a lifetime 89% Congressional Voting Record with the AFL-CIO, after serving as U.S. Representative from the 4th District in 1993-94 and the 1st District from 1999 to present. He has consistently voted with working families’ interests on strengthening collective bargaining rights, protecting Social Security and Medicare, expanding access to affordable health care, and protecting labor standards, including the minimum wage, overtime pay, prevailing wage, and workplace safety.

Open to the public, “Sunset Cocktails on the Sound” is being organized by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace/IFPTE 2001, the main sponsor and Champion of the event. SPEEA has also invited representatives of Viking Robotics, a Ballard High School-based robotics team sponsored by the union, to demonstrate a robot that shoots baskets.

CO-HOSTS for tonight’s event include:

SEIU Local 775/Working Washington
M.L. King County Labor Council
International Association of Fire Fighters
UFCW Local 21

Event SPONSORS:

Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Pride at Work
SEIU HealthCare 1199NW
Teamsters Local 117
Thurston Lewis Mason Counties Labor Council
AFT Washington
Graphics Communications/IBT 767M
Aerospace Machinists Lodge District 751
UA Local 32
CWA State Council

Event STAKEHOLDERS are AFT Local 1789, NALC Branch 79, UNITE HERE Local 8, OPEIU Local 8, Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, and IBEW Local 46.

Fore more information, call Kamaria Hightower at 206-281-8901, ext. 21.

For more information about WA YELL, check out its Facebook page.

CHECK OUT THE UNION DIFFERENCE in Washington: higher wages, affordable health and dental care, job and retirement security.

FIND OUT HOW TO JOIN TOGETHER with your co-workers to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and a voice at work. Or go ahead and contact a union organizer today!