Register for WSLC’s 2020 legislative events on Feb. 5-6

Online registration is now available for reception, lobby day

OLYMPIA — In recent years, pro-worker majorities in the Washington State Legislature have passed landmark laws to protect the environment while creating good union jobs, to reform our collective bargaining laws to adjust to the Janus decision while protecting public employees, to regulate abusive non-competition agreements, and to protect meal and rest breaks for the workers in hospitals who literally save our lives. (See the 2019 Legislative Report of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO for more details.)

These and many other important legislative victories were achieved because the labor movement stepped up to educate legislators and advocate for these policies. That includes rank-and-file union members who have taken the time to go to Olympia and talk to legislators about these important working family issues.

In 2020, there is still work to do to build on these successes. That’s why it’s important for union leaders and members to make plans now to come to Olympia this legislative session to talk to legislators and hold them accountable on issues that matter.

Online registration is open for the WSLC’s 2020 Legislative Reception and Lobbying Conference, which is set for Feb. 5-6 at the Hotel RL (Red Lion), 2300 Evergreen Park Dr. SW, in Olympia. All union leaders, staff, and especially rank-and-file members are invited to attend these WSLC legislative events to learn about the important labor issues before the 2020 Legislature.

The WSLC Legislative Reception will be Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the hotel. This is a great opportunity for union members to meet and mix with legislators, other elected state officials, and agency directors and staff in an informal setting.

The following morning, Thursday, Feb. 6, the WSLC Legislative Lobbying Conference begins at the hotel at 8:30 a.m. — registration opens at 7:30 a.m. — with a brief legislative lobbying training and review of the most pressing issues facing working families. Then delegates will take buses to the Capitol to meet with their legislators on these issues as well as those important to their specific unions. Buses will bring delegates back to the hotel for lunch and a quick debriefing and be finished by about 2 or 3 p.m. A registration fee of $110 per delegate covers the cost of the Legislative Reception, as well as lunch and materials for the Legislative Lobbying Conference.

Please register early. WSLC staff will be making appointments with legislators in advance so that all delegates in specific districts can meet together with their senator and representatives.

Early check-in to pick up name badges and information packets is available Feb. 5 from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Beat the long lines and register before the rush and join us for a “Lobbying 101” training at the hotel from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Delegates who attend will get an early opportunity to learn about the working family issues before the Legislature, learn lobbying basics, practice their raps, and leave fully prepared to lobby the following day.

A block of rooms at Hotel RL in Olympia has been reserved at the special rate of $128 plus tax. Rooms that have not been reserved by Jan. 15, 2020, will be released and will not be available at the WSLC group rate, so make your reservations now by calling 360-943-4000 and tell them you are with the WSLC Legislative Conference.

Questions? Email Willa Kamakahi or call 206-281-8901. See you there!