Submit nominations for 2015 labor awards

(April 29, 2015) — Each year at its annual convention, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO presents awards recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of specific union organizations and individual union members. As the deadlines for award nominations approach, the WSLC is calling on its affiliated unions to submit names for consideration.

WSLC Vice President Patty Rose presents the Elsie Schrader Award to Brenda Wiest of Teamsters Local 117 at the 2014 WSLC Convention.

The 2015 WSLC Convention will be July 23-25 at the DoubleTree Hotel in SeaTac. A Convention Call with more details about the convention was just mailed to all WSLC-affiliated/chartered organizations. It also notifies affiliates of the number of delegates to which they are entitled. Rank-and-file members are urged to contact their local unions for information about how to attend and serve as a convention delegate or alternate.

Here are the awards that will be presented at the 2015 WSLC Convention, plus nomination forms for affiliated unions to submit names for consideration:

MOTHER JONES AWARD

The WSLC Mother Jones Award has been recognized for decades as the state labor movement’s award that recognizes our own members in their struggle for dignity and respect for all working men and women in our state. Traditionally, two awards are given, one to an individual and one to an organization. Candidates for the award will best exemplify the tradition of Mary “Mother” Jones’ immortal statement, “Mourn for the dead, but fight like hell for the living!”

The WSLC Economic Development, Job Retention, and Transportation Committee reviews nominations and recommends recipients for this award to the WSLC Executive Board. Click here for more information or download a nomination form. The deadline for nominations is June 1. If you have questions about this award, contact EDJRT Committee staff liaisons Bill Messenger (via email) or Caitlyn Jekel (via email) at 360-943-0608.

ELSIE SCHRADER AWARD

The WSLC Women’s Committee presents this award for the advancement of women in leadership roles and/or for activism on behalf of women within the labor movement. Click here for more information or download a nomination form. The deadline for nominations is June 1. If you have questions about this award, contact Women’s Committee staff liaison Kairie Pierce (via email) at 360-943-0608.

BRUCE BRENNAN AWARD

The WSLC Education, Training and Apprenticeship Committee gives an annual “Bruce Brennan Memorial Award” to the individual who has contributed the most to further the cause of apprenticeship, education and training in Washington state. Click here for more information describing the award criteria or download a nomination form. The deadline for nominations is June 1. If you have questions about this award, contact the WSLC’s Lori Province (via email) at 206-281-8901.

For more information about the WSLC 2015 Convention in SeaTac, contact Kamaria Hightower (via email) or by calling 201-281-8901.