WSLC election endorsement convention is May 10

SEATTLE (March 19, 2014) — The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, has notified its more than 600 affiliated union organizations that the WSLC’s COPE (Committee on Political Education) Convention will be Saturday, May 10, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Machinists 751 Hall, 9125 15th Pl. S. in Seattle. Delegates representing WSLC-affiliated unions from across the state will vote on endorsements for Congressional, judicial, and state legislative candidates, plus statewide ballot measures.

Unlike corporations and business groups, organized labor has an open and democratic process by which candidates and ballot measures earn union support, and rank-and-file members are encouraged to participate. Candidates seeking endorsement participate in a rigorous process that includes questionnaires and interviews with local unions and regional Central Labor Councils. Those local union organizations then make recommendations for the state convention to consider and vote upon on May 10. WSLC endorsements require a two-thirds majority vote.

Also unlike corporations and industry groups — which outspend unions about 15-to-1 on politics — labor’s support doesn’t just come in the form of a check. It comes in the form of volunteers who do household walks, worksite leafleting and make personal (not automated) phone calls to other voters. Plus, it includes direct mail and other forms of political outreach intended to explain why endorsed candidates and ballot measures have earned labor’s support.

In addition to the May 10 COPE Convention, delegates will also consider endorsements at the WSLC’s 2014 Constitutional Convention to be held July 22-24 at the Coast Wenatchee Hotel and Convention Center.

For more information about the COPE Convention or the endorsement process, call the WSLC at 206-281-8901.

The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is the largest labor organization in the Evergreen State. A state federation of the AFL-CIO, the WSLC is a voluntary non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening the rights and conditions of working people and their families. There are currently more than 600 local unions affiliated with the WSLC, representing more than 400,000 rank-and-file union members working in our state.