Join in Labor Neighbor’s pre-primary push

This is the final Saturday of pre-primary neighborhood walks for Labor Neighbor, the Washington State Labor Council’s grassroots member-to-member political action program. Union volunteers are needed at walks planned in Auburn, Everett, Olympia, Tacoma and Vancouver (see schedule below).

But first… WSLC Field Mobilization Director Lori Province reports that, after four weeks, the Labor Neighbor program has put more than 450 volunteer shifts into electing labor’s champions to office.

“We need to do lots more, but we are making a start that is making a difference,” she said.

Special thanks go out to Labor Neighbor’s Worksite Team: Chris McKeever of NATCA, Karl DeJong of IATSE 15, Keith Nestor of UA 32, Keith Weir of IBEW 46, and Dale Bright of LIUNA 440.  They are the tireless flyer bunch that are bringing the election awareness to our union job sites in health care, construction, ship building, roll-call meetings and any other creative way they can get the conversation rolling about labor-endorsed candidates.

Recognition this week also goes to Sheet Metal Workers Local 66, who have designated their Youth to Youth third-year apprentices to rotate into release staff for Labor Neighbor to help maintain a constant presence from Local 66.  Thanks to SMW 66 Business Manager Eric Martinson for his support of Labor Neighbor!

Labor Neighbor phone bankers outside the UFCW 21 hall in Seattle. (Photo by Max Brown)

Several WSLC-affiliated unions have helped us set an unprecedented pre-primary phone bank pace by adopting a night at the phone bank. Local unions can adopt an entire phone bank or elect to adopt a certain number of phones and computers on a given night and locale.  Email Lori Province or call her at 206-351-2956 for details.

SATURDAY, JULY 28 walk schedule:
Shifts are 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. (9:00 training, 9:30 pair up, 12:30 last knock, 1:00 debrief):

AUBURN  (LD 47) — IAM 751 Hall — 201 A Street SW

EVERETT  (1st CD) — Labor Temple — 2800 Lombard

OLYMPIA  (LD 35) — WSLC/WFSE — 906 S. Columbia

TACOMA (LDs 25 & 28) — IBEW 76 — 3049 S. 36th St, #101

VANCOUVER  (LD 17) — Evergreen Transit Center Park & Ride — 13799 NE 18th St.

Check out the entire pre-primary schedule of phone banks and walks, and then volunteer for specific shifts online.